Area Kitchen Manager (Restaurant R&D)

Private Advertiser; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Advertiser seeks an experienced F&B R&D leader to drive research, development and launch of innovative products. You will create market-driven menus, standardize recipes, and ensure quality across outlets in Malaysia.

You will lead training, oversee trials, and align R&D timelines with procurement, operations and marketing to maintain brand identity and profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a food-related field required.
• Professional culinary certification an added advantage.
• Minimum 2–5 years in F&B R&D or culinary innovation; 3+ years in leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead research, development and launch of new food and beverage products.
• Create innovative menu offerings based on market trends and company objectives.
• Develop and standardize recipes, preparation methods and product specifications.
• Conduct trials, tastings and evaluations to ensure quality and feasibility.
• Adapt and localize menus for the Malaysian market while maintaining brand identity.
• Review and improve existing menu items for quality, taste, presentation and profitability.
• Analyze product performance and optimize menu strategies.
• Ensure product compliance with food safety standards and halal considerations where applicable.
• Monitor market trends and translate insights into product improvements.
• Train outlet teams on new products, SOPs and recipe standards.
• Lead kitchen teams across locations to ensure consistent product quality and execution.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects with Operations, Marketing, Procurement and Supply Chain.

Skills

R&D leadership

Menu engineering

Food product development

AI fluency

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science / Food Technology

Culinary certification (advantage)

Tools

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Lead the research, development and launch of new food and beverage products.

Create innovative menu offerings based on market trends, customer preferences and company objectives.

Develop and standardize recipes, preparation methods and product specifications.

Conduct product trials, tastings, and evaluations to ensure quality and feasibility.

Adapt and localize menu offerings to suit Malaysian market preferences while maintaining brand identity.

Menu Management & Improvement

Review and improve existing menu items to enhance quality, taste, presentation and profitability.

Analyze product performance and recommend menu optimization strategies.

Ensure consistency of products across all outlets through standardized operating procedures and recipe manuals.

Cost Control & Profitability

Conduct food cost analysis and identify opportunities for cost optimization.

Work closely with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to source suitable ingredients and suppliers.

Ensure product development aligns with target food cost and profit margin requirements.

Monitor ingredient pricing trends and recommend alternatives when necessary.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

Ensure all products comply with food safety regulations and company quality standards.

Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Operations teams to maintain product consistency.

Support compliance with local regulatory requirements, including halal considerations where applicable.

Develop product specifications and quality control guidelines.

Market Research & Trend Analysis

Monitor industry trends, competitor activities and emerging consumer preferences.

Conduct market research and benchmarking to identify opportunities for innovation.

Gather customer feedback and translate insights into product improvement initiatives.

Training & Operational Support

Train outlet teams on new product preparation, recipe standards and implementation procedures.

Support new outlet openings and menu rollouts.

Prepare product manuals, training materials and operational guidelines.

Work closely with Operations teams to ensure successful execution of new products.

Leadership & Project Management

Lead and align outlet Kitchen Managers across all locations to ensure proper execution of R&D initiatives, recipe standards and SOP implementation.

Act as the key coordination point between HQ R&D and individual outlet kitchen teams to ensure consistent product quality and operational execution across all stores.

Plan and manage product development timelines and project milestones.

Guide kitchen leaders during the rollout of new menu items, ensuring proper training, understanding and execution at outlet level.

Monitor and support outlet kitchen performance in relation to product quality, consistency and adherence to R&D standards.

Coordinate cross-functional projects involving Operations, Marketing, Procurement and Supply Chain departments.

Provide on-site support and hands-on guidance during product launches and menu implementation at outlet level.

Prepare regular reports on R&D progress, product performance and outlet execution feedback.

Job Requirements

AI Fluency

Comfortable using AI tools to enhance productivity, research, data analysis, reporting and innovation.

Able to effectively apply AI technologies to support product development and business decision-making.

Strong digital literacy and openness to adopting new technologies.

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science, Food Technology, Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Hospitality Management or a related field.

Professional culinary certification will be an added advantage.

Experience

Minimum 2-5 years of experience in Food & Beverage Research & Development, Central Kitchen or Culinary Innovation.

At least 3 years of managerial or leadership experience.

Experience in multi-outlet restaurant chains or F&B retail operations is highly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

Strong knowledge of food product development, recipe formulation and menu engineering.

Understanding of food safety standards, HACCP, GMP and relevant regulatory requirements.

Strong analytical skills with experience in food costing and profitability analysis.

Excellent project management and organizational skills.

Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Good communication and stakeholder management skills.

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Language

Fluent in English and Mandarin (spoken and written) to effectively communicate with headquarters, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.

Ability to communicate in Bahasa Malaysia is an advantage.

Other

This role requires high mobility, including frequent travel to outlets for on-site support, training, and execution monitoring, with only occasional office-based work.