Culinary Manager

CPS, Inc.; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits available

Job summary

A leading flavor solutions company is seeking a Culinary Manager to lead product development efforts within their Applications team. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in sweet and dairy product development, guiding a team of technologists and collaborating with customers. Responsibilities include developing innovative flavor concepts, overseeing testing for flavor performance, and providing technical expertise in customer projects. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in sweet and/or dairy product development.
• Strong expertise in confectionery, bakery, and dairy flavor applications.
• Proven ability to develop new flavor concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer development sessions and rapid prototyping initiatives.
• Oversee and mentor a team of technologists and research chefs.
• Guide flavor selection and application strategies across product platforms.

Skills

Leadership

Product development

Team management

Sensory analysis

Customer relationship management

Education

Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts, Science, or Nutrition

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Our client is looking for a Culinary Manager to provide leadership for their Applications team. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional who thrives in hands‑on product development while guiding teams and collaborating with customers to create innovative flavor solutions.

You will work cross‑functionally with R&D, Sales, and Marketing teams to deliver impactful product concepts and support strategic growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead customer development sessions and rapid prototyping initiatives
• Oversee and mentor a team of technologists and research chefs
• Guide flavor selection and application strategies across sweet and dairy product platforms
• Develop bench‑top prototypes and application samples for customer presentations
• Partner directly with customers to create concepts that meet sensory and technical expectations
• Stay current with regulatory standards, category innovations, and consumer trends
• Conduct testing to evaluate flavor performance, stability, and shelf‑life
• Support sales teams and customers as a technical expert on sweet and dairy applications
• Create high‑quality product concepts for bakery, confectionery, ice cream, and similar categories
• Travel as needed to assist with customer projects and sales initiatives

Salary

$125,000 - $140,000

Benefits

Available

Qualifications & Experience

• 8 plus years of experience in sweet and/or dairy product development
• Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts, Science, or Nutrition and/or a bachelor’s degree
• Background in culinary, food science, pastry arts, or culinary science
• Experience leading teams and managing product development projects
• Strong expertise in confectionery, bakery, and dairy flavor applications
• Proven ability to develop new flavor concepts and manage customer relationships
• Skilled in sensory analysis and consumer testing techniques
• If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Mike Ribando at [e-mail].