Sr. Project Manager, Category Management & Culinary Innovation

Sr. Project Manager, Category Management & Culinary Innovation

At CAVA, we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. Guided by a Mediterranean heritage, we prioritize authenticity, curiosity, and excellence in everything we do. We are building something big together.

• Generosity First, Always – We act in service of others.
• Constant Curiosity – We strive to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious.
• Act with Agility – Change is the only constant; we adapt and adjust.
• Passion for Positivity – We greet each day with warmth and possibility.
• Collective Ambition – High aspirations achieved together with a shared purpose.

• Own and evolve Cava’s commercialization strategy, process, and roadmap, aligning with brand, culinary, operational, and financial goals.
• Lead enterprise-level programs that impact multiple functions, regions, and hundreds of restaurant units.
• Drive strategic prioritization, portfolio planning, resource allocation, and risk governance for all commercialization initiatives.
• Serve as the senior commercialization subject matter expert and advisor to executive leadership.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of menu launches, core operational initiatives, equipment rollouts, and guest‑experience enhancements.
• Set standards for project planning, milestone tracking, KPIs, risk management, financial impact modeling, and launch readiness.
• Manage and mentor project managers, cross‑functional contributors, and external partners for flawless execution.
• Partner closely with Culinary, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, Training, IT, and FSQA to ensure enterprise‑wide alignment.
• Facilitate steering committees, executive reviews, resource negotiations, and decision‑making forums.
• Provide executive‑ready reporting, dashboards, and communications.
• Lead systemwide launch planning, including pilot management, risk mitigation, training, change management, supply chain validation, and FSQA readiness.
• Work with Category leads to establish and oversee a post‑launch performance evaluation framework.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve Cava’s commercialization playbook, processes, tools, and best practices.
• Champion adoption of project management tools and elevate project management maturity across the organization.
• Serve as a culture leader who models collaboration, accountability, and Cava’s hospitality‑driven values.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Hospitality, Food Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 7–12+ years of project management or commercialization experience, including leadership of large, complex, multi‑unit programs.
• Strong background in restaurant, food service, fast‑casual/QSR, or related CPG/retail industries.
• Proven experience developing commercialization roadmaps and managing full national rollouts.
• High proficiency with PM software (Smartsheet, Asana, , MS Project, Jira).
• Excellent leadership, cross‑functional influence, and executive communication skills.
• Strong financial/business acumen and ability to model cost, scalability, labor, and throughput impacts.
• Experience with national multi‑unit brands (300+ units) preferred.
• Certification: PMP, Lean, Agile, Six Sigma, or similar preferred.
• Experience leading team members or managing a PM function preferred.

• Maintain a stationary position to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Identify, analyze and assess details.
• Occasionally move or transport items up to 50 pounds.
• Communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively.
• Move around to support ordinary restaurant or food production support or office operations.
• Work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.

• Competitive salary plus bonus and long‑term incentives*
• Early Wage Access!
• Unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, and opportunities to give back to the community.
• 401(k) enrollment with CAVA contribution.
• Company‑paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions*.
• Free CAVA food.
• Casual work environment.
• The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand.
• Benefits effective on the first of the month following 30 days of service; enrollment details provided upon hire.
• Visa sponsorship not available.
• Posting range is an all‑cash range.

* Indicates qualifying eligible positions only.

CAVA is an equal‑opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law. California applicants: visit our Notice at Collection and Privacy Policy to learn about our information practices.