The Executive Chef leads consumer inspired culinary innovation and creativity in new menu platforms. Culinary is the heartbeat of the Zaxby’s Brand – from our signature tenders to sandwiches and fresh Zalads, we offer guests a wide range of chicken options. Plus, there is enormous opportunity to extend the menu into new areas such as sides, desserts and premium beverages. We are looking for a chicken expert that is also a well-rounded chef to lead the future of Zaxby’s menu! 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from and reports directly to: Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Drive all aspects of culinary innovation including testing and menu category development
• Provide menu strategy leadership across consumer need state identification, product development and commercialization 
• Ability to work with vendor partners to develop products, establish specifications and build procedures to ensure consistency & quality at scale
• Oversee all test kitchen operations and future-state design to ensure facilities are utilized as an effective tool for development of new products, and the refinement of existing products
• Work cross functionally with Operations and Finance partners to assess cost & feasibility of innovation projects, ensuring that both consumer and business objectives are met.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT

Less than 25% required

QUALIFICATIONS

• Consumer inspired culinary innovation in QSR, chicken preferred. 
• Strong poultry understanding ranging from supply chain to cooking techniques.
• Knowledgeable on cost drivers and COGS optimization, while maintaining quality standards
• Manufacturer/vendor experience a plus
• Stage gate innovation experience starting with consumer need state identification to concept to R&D through commercialization across the system
• Creativity in new menu platforms, including desserts, sides, premium beverage
• Experience in culinary brief development to enroll vendor partners on industry-leading innovation
• Commitment to consumer inspire innovation that serves the needs and tastes of the guests we serve, including pre-market and after use product satisfaction
• Ability to bring a product to life at scale, including procedures that deliver consistent product experiences in QSR environment
• Working knowledge of restaurant operations and equipment solutions to enable innovation
• Setting standard of excellence for quality: product specs, recipes and procedures
• Leading through influence & Collaboration – strong communication skills and ability to work cross functionally with marketing, operations, supply chain, etc.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary, Marketing, Business Administration (or similar course of study) required OR equivalent in-depth industry and job specific skills acquired through a combination of formal instruction and on-the-job training
• Experience: 10 years of related work experience

STANDARD HOURS

Monday – Friday

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY

Up to 40% remote work; Hybrid Work Schedule – 3 days in office