Culinary Development Manager

Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Paid time off

Bonus eligibility

Competitive health benefits

Parental leave

Job summary

Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces is looking for a Culinary Development Manager to spearhead the creation of innovative flavor profiles and products. This role involves collaboration with various teams, hands-on culinary development, and ensuring high standards are maintained in flavor and quality.

Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of culinary experience, a degree in culinary arts or related fields, and a strong understanding of food safety principles.

Compensation ranges from $135,000 to $155,000 per year, along with competitive benefits including 401(k) and paid time off.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional culinary experience in restaurant, catering, or CPG/product development.
• Strong understanding of flavor systems and ingredient functionality.
• ServSafe certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Drive development of new flavor profiles and products.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product evaluation.
• Champion Kinder’s culinary standards and brand voice.

Skills

Culinary experience

Recipe development

Project management

Food safety knowledge

Strong collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts or food science

Job description

Overview

Kinder’s is seeking an experienced and creatively driven Culinary Development Manager to join our team of culinary professionals. This role is designed for a culinary leader who wants to grow inside a fast-growing organization while representing Kinder’s through exceptional food execution and operational excellence. You will contribute to our culinary development engine and support innovation cycles and formulations for new products and flavor profiles. This role blends hands-on cooking, product testing, recipe development, field execution, and cross-functional partnership with teams such as Innovation, R&D, Product Development, Commercialization, Brand, Sales, and Operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Culinary Development & Innovation: Drive development of new flavor profiles and products for assigned segments of the Kinder’s portfolio (e.g., sauces, seasonings)
• Translate consumer insights, market trends, and retailer needs into differentiated, flavor-forward concepts
• Develop and iterate recipes from bench-top prototypes to scalable, ready-for-scale formulations
• Ensure all formulations meet Kinder’s standards for flavor, quality, and manufacturability
• Support internal tastings, cuttings, and competitive benchmarking to inform product direction
• Collaborate with R&D/Product Development to support product evaluation, sensory documentation, and readiness for commercialization

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with Innovation, Product Development, and Commercialization to move products from concept to launch
• Collaborate with Culinary Operations, Sourcing, and R&D/PD to evaluate and qualify new ingredients

Kitchen Operations & Culinary Excellence

• Maintain detailed documentation of formulations, processes, and development learnings
• Adhere to food safety and regulatory requirements throughout development
• Contribute to an organized culinary environment, including kitchen operations, sample management, and equipment readiness
• Champion Kinder’s culinary standards, brand voice, and commitment to exceptional flavor across all work

Customer/Field Support (As Required)

• Support customer-facing culinary initiatives (e.g., onsite innovation sessions, product demos, key buyer presentations)
• Prepare and execute high-quality samples for internal and external stakeholders
• Represent Kinder’s culinary perspective in interactions with customers

Education / Experience

• 5+ years of professional culinary experience (restaurant, catering, or CPG/product development environments preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, food science, or related field preferred (or equivalent hands-on experience)
• Strong understanding of flavor systems, ingredient functionality, and food processing fundamentals
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Experience developing recipes from concept through execution with attention to consistency and scalability
• Familiarity with ingredient sourcing, efficient kitchen operations, and inventory management
• Strong understanding of food safety principles and regulatory basics
• ServSafe certification required (or ability to obtain within 60 days)

Personal Characteristics

• Growth mindset with excitement to learn (and teach)
• Low ego with a strong sense of humility
• Energized by bringing brands to life through food and creating memorable flavor experiences
• Collaborative and solutions-oriented with a creative approach to problem solving
• Comfortable leading when needed and supporting when it serves the team
• Passionate about delivering authentic, thoughtful, human food experiences

Location and Travel

The position will be based at our headquarters in Walnut Creek, CA. Periodic travel to other locations for consumer events and customer meetings may be required with advance notice; some trips may be on short notice. All travel costs are reimbursed according to company policy.

Pay Transparency

The expected starting salary range for this role is $135,000-$155,000 per year. The final pay is based on location, education, qualifications, performance, and business needs.

Benefits and Balance

We offer a range of total rewards, including paid time off, 401(k), bonus eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and parental leave. Benefits vary by eligibility and are discussed in more detail during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity

Kinder’s is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. If you need accommodation during the application process or to perform job requirements, please reach out to [e-mail]