Culinary Innovation Manager — Pork Menu & Products

National Pork Board; Clive (IA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Pork Board in Des Moines, Iowa, is seeking a Manager, Culinary Innovation to turn consumer insights into scalable pork menu applications and product solutions. This role blends culinary creativity with strategic account engagement and cross-functional execution.

You will develop innovative pork concepts, manage national and regional foodservice relationships, and collaborate with operators, retailers, processors, chefs and internal teams to increase pork menu adoption and measurable

Qualifications

• Accredited culinary school completion.
• At least five years as chef or in a similar culinary role.
• Experience with meat fabrication, prep techniques and food safety.
• Experience in recipe development and customer presentations.
• Ability to translate needs into commercially viable menu applications.
• Strong PM, communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience in pork product development or meat science is a plus.
• CEC/CCS credentials preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test and demonstrate pork recipes and value-added products.
• Manage national and regional foodservice accounts and relationships.
• Create customer-specific concepts and account plans for pork placements.
• Develop chain-ready concepts and distributor applications with cost focus.
• Advance innovation in ground pork, global cuisine and convenient meals.
• Partner with Retail Channel Marketing for scalable culinary resources.
• Translate insights into relevant culinary concepts aligned with marketing.
• Collaborate with packers, meat scientists and technologists on specs and scale-up.
• Lead culinary demonstrations, prototypes and customer presentations.
• Oversee culinary facilities, safety, inventory and readiness.
• Plan culinary experiences for events and key stakeholders.
• Lead projects and coordinate internal/external teams and partners.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Culinary innovation

Meat knowledge

Education

Culinary school / culinary arts program

CEC, CCS or similar credentials

Job description

The National Pork Board in Des Moines, Iowa, is seeking a Manager, Culinary Innovation to turn consumer insights into scalable pork menu applications and product solutions. This role blends culinary creativity with strategic account engagement and cross-functional execution.

You will develop innovative pork concepts, manage national and regional foodservice relationships, and collaborate with operators, retailers, processors, chefs and internal teams to increase pork menu adoption and measurable