Culinary Innovation Chef and Test Kitchen Manager

Culinary Innovation Chef and Test Kitchen Manager Req #2821 3535 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA Job Description Posted Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM Our restaurants are only the tip of the flame. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, innovative and welcoming workplace then a career with our Corporate Familia is right for you. What’s in it for you! • Hybrid work schedule • Competitive pay and bonus • Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance • 401(K) Plan with match and immediate vesting • Flexible Spending Accounts • Vacation + Sick Pay + 12 Paid Holidays • Amazing office culture • Free El Pollo Loco food (Dine Out Card) + Restaurant Discount • Discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, sports events, hotels and more… POSITION PURPOSE: The Test Kitchen Manager is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations of El Pollo Loco’s on-site test kitchen, ensuring it runs smoothly, efficiently, and at the highest culinary standards. This role combines strong culinary expertise with organizational leadership, managing everything from ingredient prep and equipment maintenance to external culinary activations and detailed documentation. The Test Kitchen Manager plays a key role in supporting innovation, maintaining operational excellence, and partnering with the Culinary Team to bring new menu ideas to life. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Oversee all day-to-day activities in the on-site test kitchen, including food deliveries, ingredient prep, build line set-up and tear-down, and end-of-day clean-up. Support showings and events by collaborating with the Culinary team to coordinate weekly internal tastings as well as large-scale showings for franchisees, agencies, and external partners. Serve as project lead for all external culinary events and activations, managing logistics, ingredient ordering, staffing, on-site execution, and post-event wrap-up. Partner with Sr. Director of Culinary in new product idea generation, iterations, and initial testing for Culinary and Marketing leadership. Manage equipment upkeep, sanitation, and overall organization of the test kitchen to ensure readiness and compliance with food safety standards. Maintain meticulous records of testing processes, recipe formulations, and product specifications to support future use and scalability. Coordinate and manage ingredient testing with Culinary Team members, ensuring accuracy and consistency in results. QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required. Education/Work Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science or a related field required. Minimum 10+ years of experience in a professional kitchen, restaurant, or media test kitchen, with proven experience in recipe development and culinary operations. Prior experience managing kitchen operations, events, or activations strongly preferred. License/Certifications: Food Handler’s Certification required; ServSafe Manager Certification preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Strong culinary background with experience in recipe development, cooking techniques, and food science. Effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to guide and collaborate across teams. Skilled at troubleshooting recipe failures, production challenges, and logistical issues under pressure. Strong working knowledge of various types of kitchen equipment, with the ability to quickly learn new tools and technologies. Meticulous approach to testing, documentation, and adherence to food safety protocols. Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and maintain a highly organized and sanitary workspace. Ability to work at the Support Center consistent with the hybrid work policy. Our Company In 1980 the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, quickly becoming a destination for the best citrus-marinated, fire-grilled pollo in town. Over the past four decades, El Pollo Loco has grown into 500 restaurants across 7 states, becoming an L.A. mainstay and cultural benchmark along the way. And today, we continue to work just as hard to always provide customers with fresh and innovative L.A. Mex from our famous family dinners to Mexican entrees. The pay range identified is the hourly or salary rate El Pollo Loco expects to pay for the posted position. This range does not include any benefits or bonus opportunities that might be available for the position based on position and eligibility criteria. Individual pay will vary based on a variety of factors including years of experience, industry experience, education, geography, etc. #LI-Hybrid Job Details Pay Type Salary Hiring Min Rate 95,000 USD Hiring Max Rate 106,000 USD

Salary : $95,000 - $106,000