Sr. Manager of Culinary Innovation – United Kingdom

Sr. Manager of Culinary Innovation – United Kingdom

Region: London, UK

Ready for a fresh, new career? Look no further because one of the world’s most iconic brands can help you get there.

Why Join Us?

At Subway, “better” is baked into our DNA. We are a brand that believes in continued improvement … in our lives, our businesses, and our planet. From the handshake that started our very first sandwich shop to earning our position as one of the world’s leading restaurant brands, we’ve always embraced change and the path ahead. And today, we're making better living way easier.

Our purpose is about more than the food we serve in our restaurants. It’s centered on fueling healthy businesses and healthier lives. It is one of the most exciting times to join the Subway team and contribute to our transformational journey.

About the Role:

We have an exciting opportunity to support our culinary team as a Sr. Manager of Culinary Innovation based in London, UK. The Sr. Manager of Culinary Innovation supports the team with leading and executing the brand's product strategy, collaborating cross functionally, and developing and commercializing new and improved products and processes across Europe. The role is responsible for delivering innovation projects across the EMEA region of Subway, working with the Marketing team, and supporting the Director of Culinary & Innovation to build a strong portfolio and pipeline of products that supports the Subway growth strategy.

If you feel that this is the role for you, and you are successful with your application, be ready to be Bold, Empowered, Accountable, and ready to have Fun in a fast paced and agile working environment.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Project lead on existing product improvements, formulary changes or enhancements, and cost improvement initiatives, including complete product evaluations, refinements, and documentation. Leads menu engineering and core menu initiatives. Identify gaps with current product offering and ideate solutions to fill customer needs and drive incremental growth for the business. Makes recommendations on product changes and retirement based on customer and partner feedback, brand alignment and production requirements
• Continuously learning, tasting, exploring, vetting and researching food ideas and concepts and relating them back to relevant ideas for the brand. Design and perform continuous research on new products to support subway’s ongoing culinary innovation.
• Makes recommendations on product changes and retirement based on customer and partner feedback, brand alignment and production requirements
• Write product specifications/ recipes on all new products and provide R&D approval for any changes to existing specifications.
• Collaborates cross-functionally (i.e., Marketing, Ops, Purchasing, FSQA and Digital) to effectively bring new products to life.
• Develops and presents to brand leadership and Franchise partners new beverage & food items, new menu platforms, limited time offers, catering and delivery innovation.
• Partners with Marketing, Operations, QA and the Sourcing team to test product quality and identify areas for cost and quality improvement. Partners with the Sourcing team to select suppliers and manufactures that are capable of meeting product quality and product specifications in the most cost-effective manner.
• Collaborates with Purchasing on the sourcing of new ingredients and products, taking the lead on product specs and evaluations. Assists Purchasing with quality assurance investigations, research new vendors, and develop new vendor relationships for products, equipment, and small wares.

Qualifications (some examples listed below):

• Bachelor’s Degree (Preferred) / Culinary Training
• Minimum of 5-8 years’ experience; minimum 7 years’ experience in food R&D with at least 5 years’ experience in Quick Service Restaurants or grab & go
• Must have international experience and knowledge of European trends, ideally in Germany or Netherlands
• Culinary training & experience in a commercial kitchen
• Technical Proficiencies: Microsoft Office Suite programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook

• Able to multi-task, prioritize workload and comfortable working within a fast-paced environment.
• Interpersonal, relationship-building and networking skills with a self-motivated attitude to work.

• Language requirements: Fluent in English – any additional language a plus
• Strong knowledge of industry and flavor trends
• Knowledge of food products and commercialization, including quality assurance, supplier manufacturing and processes
• Knowledge of food safety and HACCP principles
• Unquestioned integrity and open-minded
• Clear, concise communication skills, both written and verbal, and excellent presentation skills
• Excellent understanding of the product development process and innovation stage gate principles
• Strong knowledge of the interaction between culinary art, food science and nutrition
• Strong knowledge of sensory and consumer research methodologies
• Experience with packaged food safety and government regulatory requirements
• People leadership skills and the ability to manage, mentor and develop others

What do we Offer?

• Pension, medical and life insurance reimbursements 
• Competitive bonus
• Commute to work, and work from home renumeration
• Lots of Wellness benefits, perks, and discounts – it’s important to us!
• Tuition reimbursement scheme 
• Volunteering time