Global Culinary Innovation Leader

The Wendy's Company; Dublin (OH); Hybrid; USD 154,000 - 277,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wendy's Company in Dublin, OH seeks a Director of International Research & Development to lead the strategic direction and global culinary pipeline for 30+ international markets. You will oversee ideation, consumer testing, validation, and commercialization to ensure solutions support the organization’s international brand strategy and growth.

The role requires exceptional cross-functional leadership with Brand Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, QA, Engineering, Finance, and Franchise

Qualifications

• 15 years combined experience in product development, restaurants and education.
• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Culinary, or Nutrition with technical background is required.
• Strong organizational, communication, delegation, and presentation skills expected.

Responsibilities

• Leads global culinary innovation strategy aligned with international growth objectives.
• Oversees end-to-end innovation: ideation, concept refinement, testing, and market scaling.
• Champions data-informed decision making and scalable R&D processes across markets.
• Partners with Brand Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, QA, Engineering, Finance, and Franchise leadership.
• Translates sensory insights into actionable direction for product optimization and market success.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Presentation skills

Creative thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Culinary, or Nutrition

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

What you'll do

When our square shaped burgers made their first sizzle on the scene more than 50 years ago, people knew our approach wasn’t like any other. Same goes for the way we support our employees. Our culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness allows everybody to flourish in their own way. If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand – We got you!

The Director, International Research & Development leads the strategic direction, innovation agenda, and global culinary pipeline for more than 30 international markets. This position oversees the full lifecycle of product development—from ideation and concept development through consumer testing, operational validation, and commercialization—ensuring that all solutions support the organization’s international brand strategy and accelerate global business growth. This leader is the organization’s foremost ambassador of global culinary innovation, responsible for setting vision, inspiring creativity, and elevating the brand’s international food credibility. The role requires exceptional cross-functional leadership, supports global market insight, and the ability to balance creative innovation with operational and supply-chain reality.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Establishes the long-term global culinary innovation strategy aligned with international growthobjectivesand brand positioning.
• Shapes the vision for best‑in‑class R&D processes, capabilities, and infrastructure across global markets.
• Identifiesand prioritizes breakthrough concepts, platforms, and innovation pathways that strengthen competitive advantage.

Global R&D Excellence

• Oversees end-to-end innovation, including ideation, concept refinement, prototyping, consumer and sensory testing, and market scaling.
• Ensures products meet brand standards while accounting for diverse regional tastes, operational needs, and supply-chain feasibility.
• Champions disciplined experimentation, data-informed decision-making, and trend-forward product development.

Team & Talent Leadership

• Leads, inspires, and develops a global network of in-country chefsto support culinary innovation.
• Builds a culture of creativity, accountability, and collaboration, promoting shared standards and best practices across markets.
• Identifies capability gaps and fosters strong talent pipelines across international culinary and R&D functions.
• Understand business dynamics thatimpacteach region’smenuthrough relationships withcross-functional team members andfranchisee’s.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serves as a strategic partnertoBrand Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, QA, Engineering, Finance, and Franchise leadership.
• Ensures seamless integration of culinary innovation into operational systems, supply channels, andgo‑to‑marketprocesses.
• Influences and supports regional leadership teams to ensure alignment of innovation priorities with broader business strategies.
• Partners with supply chain and QA leaders to assess risks,validatemanufacturing readiness, and protect global product quality.
• Translates sensory insights into actionable direction for product optimization, consumer acceptance, and market success.
• Ensuresglobal consistency in sensory methodologies while allowing for culturally relevant adjustments.

Brand Stewardship & Executive Representation

• Acts as a global culinary spokesperson and brand ambassador across media engagements, industry forums, and innovationshowcases.
• Represents the brand with franchisees, suppliers, senior leadership, and external partners to inspire confidence and alignment.
• Leads internal innovation sessions, workshops, and global forums to activate organizational excitement around culinary strategy.

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Travel: 30%

Pay Range: $154,000.00 - $277,000.00 Annually

What we expect from you

• Education:Bachelors DegreeFood Science, Culinary, or Nutrition (Technical background and expertise necessary)
• 15 years’ combined experience in product development, restaurants and education
• Proficient computer skills including outlook, word, excel and power point
• Strong organizational, communication, delegation and presentation skills
• Creative thinker with ability to achieve results in a dynamic environment
• Passion for food

Expected Work Location (In Office): It is expected that you will primarily perform work at the Wendy's Restaurant Support Center (RSC) (1 Dave Thomas Blvd, Dublin, OH 43017), or at other location(s) as designated by the Company. You are required to work in the office at least 4 days a week. Changes to work location arrangements are subject to managerial approval and business needs. #LI-Onsite

Wendy’s was built on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe®," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand.

The base pay range for this position is listed below. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and budget for the open position and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other relevant factors. This range does not include an estimated value for any benefits, bonus, or other incentives that may be applicable based on position. The target annual bonus for this role is 25% of annualized base salary, based on actual company and personal performance.

Our square burgers make us different and so do our benefits! Our restaurant support roles are eligible for a wide array of benefits, including things such as parental leave, free EAP sessions, company 401k match and other great offerings. For more details about our benefits, including an overview of eligibility and terms for certain benefits, please visit our benefits website, www.wendysbenefits.com.

NOTE: Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives are governed by the applicable legal plans and policies and, where appropriate, may be subject to Board approval an individual award agreement terms. Those documents supersede all other information regarding Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives. Wendy’s retains the right to amend or terminate its plans and policies at its sole discretion, in accordance with applicable plans, policies and laws.

Wendy's is an equal employment opportunity employer who may provide reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.