Culinary Test Kitchen Supervisor

IRB USA Inspire Resources; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Inspire Brands is seeking an experienced operations coordinator to oversee the daily upkeep of the 2nd-floor Test Kitchen and 12th-floor Beverage Kitchen at 3 Glenlake. You will manage maintenance, equipment monitoring, inventory, scheduling, and event support, while supervising two contract staff and handling invoicing and G&A budgeting.

The role requires strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on safety, sanitation, and compliance across both kitchens.

Qualifications

• Strong operational coordination, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven in managing budgets, invoices, and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate repair and maintenance for kitchen equipment to meet Inspire Brands standards.
• Schedule preventive maintenance services for all test kitchen equipment.
• Manage inventory, shipping/receiving, and event support for two kitchens at 3 Glenlake.
• Oversee budget, invoices, and expense reports; track commitments and variances.
• Supervise two contract employees and coordinate their schedules and priorities.
• Ensure compliance with safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards.

Skills

Operational coordination

Organization

Communication

Problem-solving

Stakeholder relationships

Multitasking

Leadership without direct reports

Education

High school diploma or technical certifications

Tools

Facilities management processes

Job description

Serve as the primary point of contact for the day-to-day operation and upkeep of the 2nd-floor Test Kitchen and the 12th-floor Beverage Kitchen at 3 Glenlake. This individual-contributor role coordinates general maintenance, equipment monitoring, culinary project support, inventory management, shipping and receiving, scheduling, kitchen logistics, and event support in both kitchens. The Analyst also manages invoice processing and the assigned G&A budget, oversees the day-to-day work of two contract employees, and supports compliance with safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the repair and maintenance process for all kitchen equipment and verify that equipment remains in good working order and meets Inspire Brands standards.
• Schedule and track monthly, quarterly, and annual preventive maintenance services for all test kitchen equipment.
• Coordinate shipping, receiving, and inventory control for deliveries supporting all Inspire Brands culinary teams.
• Maintain the test kitchen schedule and coordinate the allocation of time and space for product development, photo shoots, and video shoots.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for culinary and event requests, resolving routine issues and escalating matters when needed.
• Administer workflow and work-order processes and develop, implement, and monitor tools such as checklists and work-order databases to improve test kitchen service.
• Maintain the inventory, cleanliness, and organization of dry goods, smallwares, refrigerators, and freezers.
• Coordinate and communicate dry-storage, refrigerator, and freezer cleanouts with culinary team members and execute quarterly cleanouts of test kitchen pantries, walk-in coolers, and freezers.
• Procure cooking equipment and supplies required for kitchen operations in accordance with approved processes.
• Process invoices and prepare expense reports for the 2nd-floor Test Kitchen, the 12th-floor Beverage Kitchen, related events, and second-floor amenity purchases.
• Manage the assigned G&A budget, including tracking commitments and actual spending, reconciling expenses, identifying variances, and providing routine budget updates to the appropriate leader.
• Maintain the event calendar and coordinate event requests, spaces, vendors, porters, equipment, and other logistical needs for the 2nd-floor Test Kitchen and the 12th-floor Beverage Kitchen at 3 Glenlake.
• Coordinate setup, on-site support, and breakdown for showings, events, demonstrations, dinners, and other activities in the 2nd-floor Test Kitchen and the 12th-floor Beverage Kitchen at 3 Glenlake.
• Support after-hours events in these kitchens on an as-needed basis.
• Provide day-to-day work direction and operational oversight for two contract employees, including coordinating schedules and priorities, monitoring service delivery, and addressing or escalating performance and staffing issues through the appropriate contract partner.
• Communicate and administer established test kitchen rules and procedures with culinary teams, addressing routine compliance issues and escalating exceptions as needed.
• Support compliance with EcoSure audits and microbiological testing requirements so the test kitchen meets or exceeds Inspire Brands operational standards.
• Coordinate and verify completion of daily, weekly, and monthly test kitchen cleaning to maintain Inspire Brands standards.
• Coordinate porter requests for test kitchen operations and large events.
• Coordinate vendor and supplier equipment setup, breakdown, removal, and exit plans.
• Serve as the day-to-day vendor liaison for equipment, amenity, and test kitchen service repairs and maintenance; maintain vendor records, track service schedules, and proactively coordinate completion.

Education & Qualifications

• Min/Preferred High School Degree or Technical Certifications
• Experience Qualifications 4 years food service or hospitality environment Required
• Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Strong operational coordination, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels, from IET members to hourly team members.
• Attentive, self-motivated, dependable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Technically inclined and comfortable using tools and troubleshooting equipment.
• Strong understanding of restaurant operations and back-of-house workflows.
• Strong event coordination and logistical support skills across multiple spaces and stakeholder groups.
• Ability to process invoices and manage an assigned G&A budget accurately.
• Ability to provide clear day-to-day work direction and operational oversight to contract employees without formal direct-report authority.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and elevate issues appropriately.
• Ability to maintain accurate schedules, inventories, work orders, service records, and budget documentation.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and stand for extended periods of time.
• Valid driver’s license.
• ServSafe certification
• Must have reliable vehicle for local business usage

Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,300 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide. We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences. Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,400 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants across 55 global markets. In an industry facing increasing disruption, our leaders saw an opportunity to build a restaurant company unlike any other – one that brings together differentiated yet complementary brands and aims to make them stronger than they would be on their own. Found inherently in the purposes of our family of brands, we identified a common thread between our restaurants – the capacity to inspire. From guest experience to career development to community well-being, Inspire plays a role in the lives of millions of people every day. Our brands are diverse, distinctive, and fan favorites. In a sense, you could say we seek those who provide something different than the norm.