Jack in the Box · 4 days ago
Culinary Project Manager I
San Diego, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$70K/yr - $98K/yr
4+ years expJack in the Box is a fast-food restaurant chain, and they are seeking a Culinary Project Manager I to manage dessert and beverage category initiatives. The role involves supporting innovation and R&D efforts, collaborating cross-functionally, and ensuring smooth transitions from product development to launch.
Food and BeverageFranchiseHospitalityRestaurants
Responsibilities
Conceptualizes and develops operational friendly delicious new products with optimized procedures, hold and cook times
Owns innovation in assigned categories and projects. Engages cross-functional teams through the Product Development process, including stage gates, white papers, PD check in, Category and other meetings
Provides input on product trends, feasibility, and options for product strategies; monitors product/menu trends, competitor product development activities, and food industry technology developments. Participates in department category update meetings and departmental product idea generation meetings for assigned product categories
Contributes to, reviews, and/or executes the creation of product prototypes, including product formulation and ingredient sourcing, and manages initial production scale up of product prototypes for consumer research and initial testing
Contributes on project teams to provide expertise on ingredient, product build, and equipment aspects; recommends best product, procedure, packaging, and/or equipment options based on delivery of concept, operational feasibility, consumer research/sensory panel results, and supplier capabilities
Authors product specifications and parameters; researches and identifies suppliers; as needed, travels to supplier facilities to observe and approve production process and address critical processing procedures; ensures consistent finished product throughout all lines, shifts, and processing plants; obtains product samples, ingredient specifications, processing specifications, and labeling documentation
Collaborates with Supply Chain, Technical Services, Packaging and Equipment to recommend the need for additional suppliers. Develops product storage, preparation, hold, and delivery methods that comply with Health Department regulations and JIB food safety requirements. Recommends processing and procedure modifications as required ensuring consistent product delivery in the restaurants; incorporates all procedures into the JIB restaurant HACCP system
Participates in activities in the test kitchen. Retrieves products from freezer, refrigerator, and other storage areas and moves to testing location; cooks/prepares products as required
Performs other related duties, tasks and responsibilities as required, assigned, and directed
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or related degree
Minimum 4 years of experience as a food product developer, including 1-2 years kitchen/food service experience as a cook or Chef
Demonstrated knowledge of food science, culinary techniques, restaurant/kitchen operation, food handling and HACCP procedures; requires ServSafe certification
Articulates category expertise proficiently and communicates clearly verbally and in writing
Exceptional culinary skills and a flair for food quality, flavor, recipe development, portion, plating, garnish, innovation, well versed on fast casual trends/market
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively to meet menu goals and deadlines
Proficient knowledge of personal computers and Microsoft 365 Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Ability to problem solve effectively and able to adapt to a quickly changing work environment
Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior
Ability to speak/hear clearly in person and on the telephone
Ability to operate a personal computer
Ability to travel approximately 10% -20% of time as business needs require
Must be able and willing to eat meat and other types/kinds of food with no aversions or allergies
Ability to lift 50 lbs
Ability to stand and walk freely throughout the test kitchen approximately 70% to 80% of time
Ability to operate food service equipment (fryers, ovens, grill, toaster, microwave, shake machine, slicer, etc.)
Preferred
Culinary Arts or culinary certification a plus
Culinary degree preferred
Experience in a franchise and/or multi-unit concept background a plus
Company
Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box is a restaurant company that operates and franchises restaurants.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Jack in the Box has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (4)
2024 (6)
2023 (2)
2022 (1)
2021 (4)
2020 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$3.2BKey Investors
JANA Partners
2022-02-14Post Ipo Debt· $1.1B
2019-07-09Post Ipo Debt· $1.3B
2014-03-24Post Ipo Debt· $800M
Leadership Team
Lance Tucker
Chief Executive Officer
Dawn Hooper
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
2026-01-11
Verdict Food Service
2026-01-09
Company data provided by crunchbase