Mendocino Farms · 10 hours ago
DIRECTOR OF CULINARY OPERATIONS
Base Camp Home Office, 7508 Ambassador Row, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$140K/yr - $180K/yr
5+ years expMendocino Farms is a company focused on culinary innovation and customer satisfaction. The Director of Culinary R&D will lead menu innovation and product development, ensuring new items align with brand values and enhance guest experiences through creativity and collaboration.
RestaurantsSnack Food
Responsibilities
Research, develop, and test new menu items that align with Mendo’s food philosophy and brand strategy
Collaborate with our R&D Chef to refine recipes, ensuring they are operationally executable at scale
Balance innovation with practicality, considering cost, supply chain, and execution feasibility
Analyze guest feedback, sales data, and market trends to inform culinary innovation
Work with Marketing to conduct guest panels, surveys, and competitive analysis
Identify emerging food trends and adapt them into Mendo’s menu while maintaining our unique culinary identity
Plan and coordinate internal and external tastings, ensuring structured feedback loops
Partner with Operations to test and refine new products in select stores before system-wide rollout
Ensure all new items meet Mendo’s high standards for quality, taste, and consistency
Work closely with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure smooth menu launches
Partner with Supply Chain to source high-quality, cost-effective ingredients that align with new menu innovations
Collaborate with Supply Chain on vendor selection and procurement strategies to support new product development
Provide clear documentation and communication on new menu items to ensure proper execution
Support Training teams in educating restaurant teams on the story and execution of new dishes
Develop a long-term menu innovation roadmap aligned with business goals
Manage the R&D budget, balancing cost-effectiveness with innovation
Optimize supplier relationships to support new product development
Qualification
Required
Deep understanding of food trends, ingredient sourcing, and consumer preferences
5+ years of experience in culinary R&D, menu development, or product innovation
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
Experience working cross-functionally with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain
Data-driven approach to innovation, using insights to guide decision-making
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Passion for culinary innovation and bringing food to life in a way that excites both guests and operators
Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Benefits
Competitive Salary
Annual Bonus
Meal Privileges—because food should make people feel good!
Comprehensive Health Benefits & 401k Plan with Company Match
Paid Vacation to recharge and fuel your best self
Company
Mendocino Farms
Mendocino Farms is a provider of different types of sandwiches.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknown2017-11-13Acquired
Leadership Team
Kevin Miles
Chief Executive Officer
Recent News
2025-12-03
Company data provided by crunchbase