Director - Culinary Innovation, Sonic
Core
Lead SONIC's culinary innovation efforts to drive traffic, revenue, and guest satisfaction through differentiated menu solutions and product development excellence.
Role type
Director, Culinary Innovation & Product Development
Builds
Consumer-relevant menu solutions, core menu items, platforms, beverages, limited-time offers (LTOs), and ingredients for SONIC drive-in restaurants.
Domain
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) / Food & Beverage
Deliverable
product features
Required skills
Strategic menu development, product lifecycle management (concept to commercialization), cross-functional leadership, team building and talent development, budget management, vendor relationship management, recipe and specification writing, project management (50-75+ concurrent projects), operational feasibility analysis.
Preferred skills
QSR culinary development experience, food storytelling, creative ideation, flexibility in fast-paced environments.
Technologies
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Responsibilities
Execute innovation agenda with VP, lead culinary ideation and tastings, manage development priorities and timelines, partner with Operations/Supply Chain for launch readiness, coach and develop culinary team, manage departmental budgets.
Seniority
Director, strategic leadership with hands-on product development