Manager - Culinary Innovation & Commercialization

The Wendy's Company; Burlington; On-site; CAD 105,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Wendy's Canada is seeking a strategic leader to head Culinary Innovation & Commercialization, driving concept development, product testing, and end-to-end commercialization across all dayparts. You will shape the innovation pipeline and maintain strong supplier partnerships to bring high‑quality ideas to market.

The role requires collaboration with Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Operations and franchisees to ensure brand standards, cost targets and operational viability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Culinary, or Nutrition (Technical background and expertise necessary)
• 10 years’ combined experience in product development, commercialization, restaurants and education
• Proficient computer skills including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Strong organizational, communication, delegation and presentation skills
• Creative thinker with ability to achieve results in a dynamic environment
• Passion for food

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary concept development and product innovation for the Canadian business across all dayparts.
• Identify emerging trends, competitive insights, and consumer needs to inform the innovation pipeline.
• Maintain brand standards while developing new menu items and optimizing existing offerings.
• Oversee end to end commercialization for custom and off the shelf products, ensuring seamless transition from R&D to restaurant execution.
• Collaborate with suppliers to manage product development, testing, qualification, and launch execution.
• Partner closely with the Director of International Innovation to assess U.S. innovation platforms for relevance and feasibility in the Canadian market.
• Provide visibility to U.S. partners on Canadian calendar initiatives with potential for cross market leverage.
• Ensure menu decisions align with global strategy while meeting the unique needs of the Canada business.
• Work closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Operations, and Consumer Insights to advance innovation initiatives.
• Serve as the primary culinary liaison to Canadian franchisees, supporting market feedback and acting as a brand ambassador.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to support R&D, innovation, and reliable commercialization outcomes.
• Lead technical and culinary problem solving, ensuring products meet quality, cost, and operational requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Presentation

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Why Wendy's

When our square shaped burgers made their first sizzle on the scene more than 50 years ago, people knew our approach wasn’t like any other. Same goes for the way we support our employees. Our culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness allows everybody to flourish in their own way. If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand – We got you!

The Manager of Culinary Innovation & Commercialization leads the development, optimization, and execution of Wendy’s Canada menu innovation strategy across all dayparts. This role drives concept creation, product development, and commercialization to ensure the Canadian menu remains competitive, brand‑aligned, and operationally viable. The position plays a critical role in shaping the innovation pipeline, maintaining strong supplier partnerships, and supporting franchisees in bringing high-quality products to market.

Responsibilities

Innovation Leadership

• Lead culinary concept development and product innovation for the Canadian business across all dayparts.
• Identify emerging trends, competitive insights, and consumer needs to inform the innovation pipeline.
• Maintain brand standards while developing new menu items and optimizing existing offerings.

Commercialization Ownership

• Oversee end to end commercialization for custom and off the shelf products, ensuring seamless transition from R&D to restaurant execution.
• Collaborate with suppliers to manage product development, testing, qualification, and launch execution.

Strategic Alignment

• Partner closely with the Director of International Innovation to assess U.S. innovation platforms for relevance and feasibility in the Canadian market.
• Provide visibility to U.S. partners on Canadian calendar initiatives with potential for cross market leverage.
• Ensure menu decisions align with global strategy while meeting the unique needs of the Canada business.

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Operations, and Consumer Insights to advance innovation initiatives.
• Serve as the primary culinary liaison to Canadian franchisees, supporting market feedback and acting as a brand ambassador.

Supplier & Partner Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to support R&D, innovation, and reliable commercialization outcomes.
• Lead technical and culinary problem solving, ensuring products meet quality, cost, and operational requirements.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Travel:

30%

Pay Range:

CAD 105,000.00 - CAD 184,000.00 Annually

What we expect from you

• Bachelors Degree in Food Science, Culinary, or Nutrition (Technical background and expertise necessary)
• 10 years’ combined experience in product development, commercialization, restaurants and education
• Proficient computer skills including outlook, word, excel and power point
• Strong organizational, communication, delegation and presentation skills
• Creative thinker with ability to achieve results in a dynamic environment
• Passion for food

Expected Work Location (In Office)

It is expected that you will primarily perform work at the Wendy's Canadian Restaurant Support Center 5515 North Service Rd STE 201 Burlington ON L7L 6G4 Canada or at other location(s) as designated by the Company. You are required to work in the office at least 3 days a week. Changes to work location arrangements are subject to managerial approval and business needs.

Wendy’s was built on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe®," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand.

The base pay range for this position is listed below. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and budget for the open position and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other relevant factors. This range does not include an estimated value for any benefits, bonus, or other incentives that may be applicable based on position. The target annual bonus for this role is 20% of annualized base salary, based on actual company and personal performance.

Wendy's is an equal employment opportunity employer who may provide reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

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