Director Culinary Innovation

WHY CRACKER BARREL

What is it like to work at Cracker Barrel? It feels like...

Care beyond the table At Cracker Barrel, we are a team. From the moment you join Cracker Barrel, you should feel cared for, confident in your role and like you belong.

Opportunities to fill your cup Here at Cracker Barrel, we believe in providing opportunities for growth and development and setting you up for success within our walls and beyond. From day one, you'll have hands-on, role-specific training and the ability to engage in peer-to-peer learning.

A warm welcome For five decades, we have focused on creating a Pleasing People® brand that inspires a home away from home feeling for each other and our guests. We work hard to inspire a sense of belonging that continually motivates our teams from the newest to the most tenured employees.

Serving up the care and career you crave.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Director, Culinary Innovation, will lead the food and beverage innovation for Cracker Barrel. They are accountable for establishing the strategic direction of the food and beverage menu, ensuring alignment with the brand's positioning and vision, and catering to the needs of both current and potential guests. Primary responsibilities include overseeing best in class food innovation, from concept development to commercialization. Develop and present product recommendations and rationale to key decision-makers and leaders. With a strategic emphasis on enhancing culinary excellence, this position will oversee pioneering concepts and enhance current offerings to elevate the brand experience.

 

Develop a best in class core offering and relevant menu introductions that appeal to current and future guests for Cracker Barrel's long-term culinary vision.Oversee product development, from concept to commercialization, to ensure the company meets or exceeds its profit, financial and market share growth objectives.Collaborate with Menu Strategy and other cross-functional teams to support business goals, project timelines, and consumer needs, meeting all testing hurdles and benchmarks.Support key calendar food innovation initiatives and core menu optimization to ensure successful achievement of the FY Business Plan.Support and manage culinary innovation agenda setting, prioritization and resource allocation, balancing short and long term needs/priorities.Develop and foster an inclusive high-performing culture among Innovation Chefs to drive breakthrough innovation.Synthesize strategy, consumer insights and business targets into actionable product development plan and profitable recommendations.Manage implementation of product development plan; ensure timelines are met and deliverables are achieved in a timely manner.Ability to customize recipe creative based on development briefs and consumer targets.Manages food and product development projects in cooperation with operations, quality assurance and Supply Chain.Manage relationship with external vendor partners to inform future development possibilities.Assesses competition, current trends and vendor ideation to create compelling menu ideas.Collaborates with Culinary Operations, Field Operations and Training to ensure that food is easily and consistently executable.Conducts ongoing product improvement; identifies, improves and tests products to elevate the taste of our food and improve the guest experience.

 

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Experience and Education

MBA or master's degree in relevant field preferred; Culinary Degree, Food Science or equivalent required.10+ years Culinary Innovation management experience in a multi-unit restaurant environment; strong background and experience in the development and creation of successful food and menu items for multi-unit restaurant company

Knowledge and Skills

Strong culinary skills and experience, and passion for food innovation.Broad knowledge of Quality Assurance practices, regulations, etc.Excellent analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.Excellent communication skills.Strong leadership and managerial skills with demonstrated ability to lead a diverse teamCollaborative with excellent organizational skills and able to inspire internal teams and external partners.

 

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

Compensation and Bonuses: Competitive Annual Salary | Annual Bonus Opportunities

Care for Your Well-being: Medical, Rx, Dental and Vision Benefits on Day 1| Life Insurance and Disability Coverage | Paid Vacation/Employee Assistance Program

Growth and Development: Business Resource Groups | Tuition Reimbursement | Professional Development

Invest in Your Future: 401k Plan with Company Matching Contributions at 90 days | Employee Stock Purchase Program

Even More to Look Forward to: 35% Discount on Cracker Barrel Food and Retail items

ABOUT US

For more than 50 years, we have committed to serving up a sense of warmth and hospitality across hundreds of stores across the country. We believe in providing opportunities for growth and development for our 70,000 plus team members and take pride and comfort in that enduring Cracker Barrel hospitality. It's something our employees and guests can count on now and into the future as we welcome new employees, guests, and experiences. Just like uncovering a delightful find in our stores, there is potential for discovery and fulfillment in every job at Cracker Barrel.

PURSUE THE CAREER YOU CRAVE - APPLY NOW

Cracker Barrel is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or any other class expressly protected by law.