Associate Culinary Innovation Manager - Buffalo Wild Wings

Supports the Culinary Development Team’s work streams by executing product preparation and kitchen testing. Responsible for delivery / planning of product development food showings, special events, Inspire and FAC meetings, CLT’s, Executive Team meetings, focus group taste panels, and agency showings. Owns day-to-day product preparation, product ordering / inventory within BWW’s areas of Inspire Test Kitchen. Lead execution of assigned new product development menu items, equipment / smallwares, and processes to support BWW’s Culinary Team objectives.

• 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, including cook temperature studies, product size/weight studies, recipe portioning studies, and the measurement of other key product attributes as assigned
• Manage and maintain BWW’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 stakeholders, including but not limited to FAC Board, 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 best in class and/or only products of target category offered in casual dining/bar & grill
• 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 and a constant pursuit of game-changing viral food and beverage

Concentration in Culinary Arts or Food Science / Food Technology / closely related scientific discipline

3 + Years of Experience preferred:
Restaurant culinary, restaurant operations, food manufacturing, food laboratory

• 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.