Job Summary
Support the rapid expansion of Shake Shack’s global licensing business through menu development, product manufacturing, food quality assessment and culinary marketing initiatives. This role is equal parts food science and culinary creativity. The ideal candidate is versed in the norms of food manufacturing and commercialization and has experience working in factory settings to develop and produce a variety of food products. Restaurant kitchen experience is also preferred as this position supports global culinary menu development and innovation through the creation and implementation of locally relevant, on trend, menu items. A strong ability to organoleptically assess food quality and adjust and calibrate recipes to ensure menus across the world remain consistent and true to Shake Shack’s culinary standards. This position will support the expansion of Shake Shack by entering new countries and markets through working closely with the Supply Chain team to develop core products and ingredients. This role will also liaise and work closely with domestic US based Culinary, R&D, and QA teams.
Job Responsibilities and Duties
1.Commercially develop proprietary products for Shake Shack with a focus on localized production where possible.
- KPI: Leverage existing supplier and partner network or identify new manufacturing facilities that have the necessary capabilities to produce core products and work in collaboration with those facilities to commercialize products according to brand standard to meet all sensory, quality and food safety specifications
- KPI: Work cross functionally to identify and execute product improvement and consistency through reformulations and maintenance initiatives.
- KPI: Consult with manufacturers to ensure that any change in process or ingredient does not affect the performance or sensory standards of items
- Review and approve proposed ingredients throughout any development or reformulation
- KPI: Develop and review specifications to ensure production runs yield desired product attributes consistently and in a safe manner.
- KPI: Independently travel and attend various factory visits with the purpose of implementing necessary product adjustments and ultimately review final product for approval for use in market.
2.Calibrate products in Shake Shack restaurants or factories to ensure the high quality, continuous improvement and adherence to brand standards and specifications
- KPI: Visit key markets; align with Director of Ops and local team, taste through menu with team and identify areas of improvement, both at the restaurant and manufacturing level
- KPI: Train Ops teams as needed or directed by Operations to ensure menu items are prepared
3.Create and assist in creating new menu items as needed
- KPI: Work with NYC culinary lead to ideate, develop and implement LTO menu offerings for international markets with a focus on culinary trends, cost, ease of implementation and local market resonance
- KPI: Create custom recipes and standards for all new LTO items that meet the needs of each individual market
- KPI: Create recipes as dictated by the strategic needs of local markets for example, daypart items or different dietary restrictions due to cultural differences
- KPI: Develop scalable recipes and procedures that align with operational capabilities, market supply chain, and ensure consistent guest experience.
- KPI: Conduct regular culinary tastings throughout the development process for broader cross functional team
- KPI: Oversee all kitchen ordering receiving, and storage of product while scheduling and preparing for culinary tastings.
- KPI: Review and approve locally sourced ingredients to execute LTO consistent with original recipes
4. Maintain accurate recipes and standards for menu items in all markets
- KPI: Audit each market at least 1X per year
- KPI: Conduct regular culinary meetings with each market throughout the year to ensure alignment on potential product changes both at the Shack level and manufacturing level
- KPI: Develop, review and audit specifications to ensure all relevant material is accurate, up to date and consistent.
- KPI: Manage, maintain and update ingredient approval files to capture key product information of items that are approved and in use for core menu and LTO items
5. Support marketing events
- KPI: Regularly interface with Marketing to deliver menu items that meet the strategic needs of local markets
- KPI: Interface with local chefs, restaurants, producers, shops and influencers to better understand the culinary landscape of local markets through market visits
- KPI: Interface with Marketing on new market development strategy to identify events and opportunities in each market
- KPI: Support Marketing photo shoots and development of collateral marketing materials
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- 2-3 years experience working in food commercialization, new product development or manufacturing facility.
- Degree in food science or culinary arts preferred
- 1 year working in a professional kitchen or restaurant (fine dining preferred)
- Technical commercialization skills to develop, analyze and advise on custom food manufacturing needs
- Deep knowledge of global cuisines, ingredients and culinary trends
- Strong sensory evaluation and analysis skills
- Entrepreneurial, self-starter mindset
- Ability to multitask with a keen attention to detail
- High level of collaboration and project management skill to work across a broad business base
- Ability to communicate and translate technical information in a non-technical way to all levels in an organization
- Strong judgement and strategic decision-making skills
Education Requirements
Bachelor's Degree - Preferred
Education or Certificate Details
Preferred degree in Food Science or Culinary Arts
Work Experience
3-5 years
Related Experience
- 1+ years kitchen experience in high volume full-service restaurant
- Multi-unit restaurant experience
- Food manufacturing experience
- International travel experience
Benefits at Shake Shack:
A work environment where you can come as you are, share your ideas, have fun, and work collaboratively:
Weekly Pay and Performance bonuses
Shake Shack Meal Discounts
Exclusive corporate discounts for travel, electronics, wellness, leisure activities and more
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance*
Employer Paid Life and Disability Insurance*
401k Plan with Company Match*
Paid Time Off*
Paid Parental Leave*
Access to Employee Assistance Program on Day 1
Pre-Tax Commuter and Parking Benefits
Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts*
Development and Growth Opportunities
*Eligibility criteria applies
Pay Range - $121,650.00 - $159,650.00
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