Director of Culinary Operations

Mendocino Farms

Director of Culinary R&D at Mendocino Farms responsible for leading menu innovation and product development. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure culinary relevance and quality.

Posted 7/27/2026full-time3948 CA-49, Dallas • California, 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, ingredient sourcing, and consumer preferences. Proven ability to lead cross-functional collaboration and utilize data-driven insights for innovative culinary solutions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Culinary R&DMenu DevelopmentProject ManagementCross-Functional CollaborationData-Driven Innovation

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Menu InnovationProduct DevelopmentRecipe RefinementMarket Trend AnalysisSales Data 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

Food TrendsIngredient SourcingConsumer PreferencesCulinary InnovationFeedback Loops

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Chef

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Job Title: Director of Culinary R&D
Reports to: Chief Operations Officer
Lead menu innovation and product development at Mendo, ensuring that new items reflect brand values and delight guests.
Research, develop, and test new menu items that align with Mendo’s food philosophy and brand strategy.
Collaborate with R&D Chef to refine recipes for operational execution at scale.
Analyze guest feedback, sales data, and market trends to inform culinary innovation.
Plan and coordinate internal and external tastings, ensuring structured feedback loops.
Work closely with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure smooth menu launches.

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