Director of Culinary Operations

Mendocino Farms

Director of Culinary R&D at Mendocino Farms innovating and developing new menu items. Collaborating with teams to ensure culinary relevance and operational execution across locations.

Posted 7/27/2026full-timeCulver, Plano • California, Montana, Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $140,000 - $180,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in culinary R&D and menu development, with a strong focus on food trends, consumer preferences, and data-driven innovation. Capable of managing cross-functional collaboration and project management to drive successful product launches.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Culinary R&D ExperienceMenu DevelopmentProject ManagementData-Driven InnovationCross-Functional Collaboration

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Menu InnovationRecipe DevelopmentMarket AnalysisBudget ManagementFood Trend Analysis

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationPresentation SkillsCollaboration

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary ArtsBachelor’s Degree in Food ScienceBachelor’s Degree in Marketing

Industry Keywords

Culinary InnovationConsumer PreferencesIngredient SourcingOperational ExecutionGuest Feedback Analysis

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Chef

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Research, develop, and test new menu items that align with Mendo’s food philosophy and brand strategy.
Collaborate with our R&D Chef to refine recipes, ensuring they are operationally executable at scale.
Analyze guest feedback, sales data, and market trends to inform culinary innovation.
Work with Marketing to conduct guest panels, surveys, and competitive analysis.
Plan and coordinate internal and external tastings, ensuring structured feedback loops.
Partner with Operations to test and refine new products in select stores before system-wide rollout.
Develop a long-term menu innovation roadmap aligned with business goals.
Manage the R&D budget, balancing cost-effectiveness with innovation.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Deep understanding of food trends, ingredient sourcing, and consumer preferences.
5+ years of experience in culinary R&D, menu development, or product innovation.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Experience working cross-functionally with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain.
Data-driven approach to innovation, using insights to guide decision-making.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Passion for culinary innovation and bringing food to life in a way that excites both guests and operators.
Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive Salary
Annual Bonus
Meal Privileges—because food should make people feel good!
Comprehensive Health Benefits & 401k Plan with Company Match
Paid Vacation to recharge and fuel your best self