10 West Walnut StreetPasadena, CA 91103
The Global Menu & Culinary Manager supports the evolution, development, and implementation of International and Dual Brands food and beverage programs. This role bridges culinary and beverage innovation, operations, business analytics, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure new and core menu items are a regional fit, operationally sound, financially optimized, and consistently executed across the system.
This position leads the menu strategy execution, supports new product development and rollouts, and ensures integrity of recipes, specifications, and standards. The role also serves as a subject matter expert across culinary and beverage functions while driving cost optimization, vendor partnerships, and continuous improvement initiatives.
The position reports to the VP of Culinary & Cost Optimization.
Responsibilities:- Lead execution of the International and Dual Brands menu strategy aligned with brand, financial, and operational goals
- Manage International and Dual Brands food and beverage development projects in cooperation with marketing, operations, and quality assurance
- Analyze menu item performance to identify opportunities that improve sales, profitability, and enhance inventory efficiency
- Assess competition, current regional trends, and vendor ideation to create compelling ideas for menu and campaigns.
- Continuously evaluate core and regional menu items to maintain the correct balance while delivering on International flavours and trends
- Manage International vendor relationships including sourcing, pricing, and performance tracking
- Standardize and translate domestic standard operating procedures for International and Dual Brands to maintain continuity between Applebee's and IHOP
- Maintain a pantry and pipeline of International and Dual Brand recipes
- Support domestic development, testing, and rollout of new food and beverage products, including seasonal and LTO items
- Perform operational validations including yields, shelf life, portioning, and station schematics
- Ensure all recipes, plate presentations, specifications, and in-restaurant training aids are accurate, updated, and operationally executable
- Serve as subject matter expert and point of contact for International culinary and beverage-related inquiries
- Partner with Kitchen Manager and Culinary Operations Manager on daily operations, cleanliness, and organization of the test kitchen (white-glove standard)
- Maintain inventory and manage ordering, receiving, labeling, and tracking of International and Dual Brands food products, smallwares, and supplies
- Support executive events, culinary and beverage showcases, and company functions
- Assist with test kitchen and beverage station production, cooking, setup, and breakdown as needed
- Target base salary $100k-115k depending on experience
Skills & Requirements:- Bi-lingual in English and Spanish
- Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience in Business, Hospitality, Culinary, Supply Chain, or related field preferred
- 3-5 years of experience in beverage and culinary operations
- Strong analytical skills with experience reviewing cost, margin, and SKU-level data
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through
- Experience managing vendors and supporting pricing or contract discussions preferred
- Some international travel required
