Culinary Innovation Specialist - Arby's

Supports the Culinary Development Team’s workstreams by executing product preparation and kitchen testing. Responsible for supporting the delivery / planning of product development food showings, special events, Inspire and AFA Board meetings, CLT’s, Executive Team meetings, focus group taste panels, and agency showings. Owns day-to-day product preparation and Arby’s areas of Inspire Test Kitchen. Support execution of assigned new product development menu items, equipment / smallwares, and processes to support Arby’s Culinary Team objectives. Culinary is the heartbeat of the Arby’s brand strategy & business – our equity is based on menu diversity that sets new standards for quality in QSR.

Responsibilities:

• Provide project support for Culinary Development Team

  • Support 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.

  • Manage and maintain Arby’s test kitchen storage areas for product availability, ease of access, organization, and shelf life.

• Support Product Development special events and product showings for internal stake holders to include but not limited to AFA Board, Inspire Board, executive team, agency reviews, merchandising / ops reviews, company special events, pre-production showings for photo shoots and TV commercials.

  • Support 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.

  • Assist with the management of special food ordering requests for the test kitchen for product showings, taste panels, and photo shoots.

• Assist with 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.

  • Support labor needs for each event and manage team for the execution at each facility.

• Assist with 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.

  • Support translating culinary briefs into product innovation that drives new guest acquisition and industry-leading guest satisfaction.

  • Assist Insights Team to conduct consumer/guest research to understand consumer needs & product optimization, including execution/preparation of product for testing.

  • Support vendor partners in developing new products from concept to prototype, prototype to costed commercially viable sample, and through system commercialization process. 

  • Research culinary trends and competitive innovation

Requirements:

• 4 Year Degree with a Concentration in Culinary Arts or Food Science / Food Technology / closely related scientific discipline

• 0-3 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 33,300 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.