Culinary Development, Associate Manager

Inspire Brands
Atlanta, GA

SUMMARY

Supports the Culinary Development Team's workstreams by executing product preparation and kitchen testing. Responsible for delivery / planning of product development food showings,� special events, Inspire and AFA Board meetings, CLT's, Executive Team meetings, focus group taste panels, and agency showings. Owns day-to-day product preparation, product ordering / inventory within� Jimmy John's� areas of Inspire Test Kitchen. Lead execution of assigned new product development menu items, equipment /� smallwares, and processes to support� Jimmy John's� Culinary Team� objectives.� Culinary plays a critical role� in advancing the brand's strategy and� long term� growth� –� we win through high-quality ingredients� and flawless execution that� guests� can count on every time.�

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide project support for Culinary Development Team�

  • Conduct organoleptic evaluations of test and production samples as assigned.�

  • Assist� in the execution of product presentations for key stakeholders.�

  • Assist� in the planning and execution of food preparation for product showings.�

  • Plan, execute, and� disseminate� information from analytical studies of test products. This includes cook temperature studies, product size / weight studies, recipe portioning studies, and the measurement of other key product attributes as assigned.� �

  • Manage and� maintain� Jimmy John's� test kitchen storage areas for� product availability,� ease of access, organization, and shelf life.�

Manage and� facilitate� all Product Development� special events� and product showings for internal� stake holders� to include but not limited to Inspire Board, executive team, agency reviews, merchandising / ops reviews, company� special events, pre-production showings for photo shoots and TV commercials.

  • Manage and organize labor needs for each event and manage team and the execution in the venue.�

  • Manage the� setup� of Test Kitchen or special facilities for food� showings.�

  • Responsible for� management of� special food ordering requests for the test kitchen for product showings, taste panels, and photo shoots.�

  • Train event staff and other Culinary Team members for� special events/cuttings.�

Manage and execute Product� Development� external� special events� and product showings for all external� stakeholders� to include but not limited to CLT's, Focus Groups, Franchise Convention / Conference, photo shoots, TV commercials, and Agency Showings.

  • Manage and organize labor needs for each event and manage team for the execution at each facility.�

  • Review Marketing team and Culinary Team prep sheet order guides and ensure correct product is being ordered for all external events.� �

  • Manage and train event staff and other Culinary Team members for external events / cuttings.�

Culinary innovation & product development, including core menu and LTO innovation. Partner with cross-functional teams throughout the innovation process, including concept/ideation, product development, in-market� testing� & commercialization� for system� launch.�

  • Inspires the team to push boundaries and strives to create the� first in class, best in class and/or only products of target category offered in� QSR.

  • Responsible for translating culinary briefs into product innovation that drives new guest acquisition and industry-leading guest� satisfaction.�

  • Work with� Insights� Team to conduct consumer/guest research to understand consumer needs & product optimization, including execution/preparation of� product for� testing.� �

  • Work with vendor partners to develop new products from concept to prototype, prototype to� costed� commercially� viable� sample, and through system commercialization process.� � �

  • Research culinary trends and competitive innovation�

  • Includes 20% travel for Supplier visits, Industry Events, Research & Culinary Tours, Brand Events�

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum: Bachelor's Degree with Concentration in Culinary Arts or Food Science / Food Technology / closely related scientific discipline

EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

  • 1 to 3 years experience preferred in restaurant culinary, restaurant operations, food manufacturing, food laboratory�

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE,� SKILLS� or ABILITIES

  • Passion for Food & Culinary Arts – deep interest in food and flavors� �

  • Collaboration – ability to work collaboratively across teams of varying backgrounds� � �

  • Strategy & program development – ability to take idea to execution, while managing multiple priorities� �

  • Strong organization – balance multiple priorities, keep timelines & records, clear written & verbal communication� �

  • Thrives in ambiguity – ability to multi-task and move quickly on tight timelines while� maintaining� strong work product & quality standards.�

  • Proficient� in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)�


Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, and SONIC restaurants worldwide.

We're made up of some of the world's most iconic restaurant brands, but we're much more than just a restaurant company. We're a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it's an experience. At Inspire, that's our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.
// // //