Menu & Category Strategy & Test Lead (Contractor)

SARKU JAPAN; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Part time

Job summary

Sarku Japan is seeking a Category & Menu Manager - Contractor to drive the execution of menu/category initiatives. You will own testing logistics, coordinate cross-functional teams, and manage stage-gate documentation and milestones.

You will identify industry trends and convert them into actionable plans with stategy and urgency. You will collaborate with leadership and brand teams, maintain the project pipeline, and be ready to sample food/beverages typical of Asian-style concepts; travel to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field required.
• 4–7 years in menu/product development, brand management, or related function in restaurant, foodservice, or CPG.
• Experience with stage-gate or structured innovation processes is a strong plus.
• Strong ability to analyze product performance data and consumer insights.

Responsibilities

• Test Management & Field Coordination: coordinate and spearhead product testing and field execution.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: manage project communications and ensure alignment across workstreams.
• Stage-Gate: document templates, timelines, and milestone tracking for complex projects.
• Competitive & Consumer Intelligence: identify trends and synthesize actionable insights.
• Ideation and Strategic Planning: support leadership in opportunity identification and planning.
• Pipeline & Documentation Management: maintain the master pipeline across active workstreams.
• Willingness to sample/consume food and beverages served at Asian-style restaurants; travel may be required.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Written communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Marketing

Job description

Sarku Japan is seeking a Category & Menu Manager - Contractor to drive the execution of menu/category initiatives. You will own testing logistics, coordinate cross-functional teams, and manage stage-gate documentation and milestones.

You will identify industry trends and convert them into actionable plans with stategy and urgency. You will collaborate with leadership and brand teams, maintain the project pipeline, and be ready to sample food/beverages typical of Asian-style concepts; travel to