Director of Culinary Innovation

Director of Culinary Innovation Opportunity Overview

Are you ready to elevate your career in manufacturing operations and be a part of creating the world's best desserts? Dessert Holdings partners with some of North America’s most iconic chains to bring people together to celebrate life’s sweetest moments!

Dessert Holdings is looking for a Director of Culinary innovation , who is leading the organization’s product development team in a coordinated effort to meet sales and business development initiatives.

With a thorough understanding of baking science, ingredient technology, commercial bakery process equipment, commercialization and on trend ideas, you will lead the team to create bench samples that delight our customers.

The Director of Culinary Innovation is responsible for aligning with the sales team in the development of innovative desserts that can be commercialized at scale within an automated bakery manufacturing environment.

In this role you will need a passion for creativity and development, balanced with a scientific, results and detail-oriented mindset.

You will provide leadership for the development and execution of both new and existing projects. From concept to implementation, you will be responsible for delivering products within time, taste, functionality, quality, and cost expectations.

The hired candidate can expect to make between $100,000 to $125,000 annually. Pay within this range will vary based upon relevant experience, skills, and education among other factors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute overall product development strategy translating into actionable goals for direct team.
• Continuously creates and manages the creation of high quality, innovative desserts, capable of setting a new high standard in different market segments.
• Establish process and guidelines to ensure compliance with all regulations, safety standards, social mission standards and product quality standards.
• Understands the management of Quality Systems and is familiar with SQF, HACCP, BRC and GMP practices which help ensure safety within the workplace and the production of safe and quality product(s).
• Manage, Coach and Mentor direct members through formal and informal training and communication.
• Create and implement processes to build for scale and on time delivery to ensure products meet customer needs.
• Oversees the development of new project proposals.
• Oversees continuous product and recipe analysis for quality and consistency, in the interest of product improvement and increased efficiency.
• Effectively communicates product details and expectations to all department management in a timely and clear fashion.
• Strong multitasker, able to manage many projects on an ongoing basis.
• Ability to present concepts through final products to customer representatives in structured sales meetings.
• Shows ability to meet fast-paced, short lead-time deadlines to exceed customer speed to market expectations.
• Provides direction and oversight of the performance of the Culinary Innovation / Test Kitchen
• Works cross functionally to achieve overall company goals (Sales goals, Pilot Launches, Supply Chain requests, etc.)
• Trouble-shoots product or ingredient-related issues (i.e. supply, pricing) as needed, in partnership with Supply Chain
• Conducts on-going product research on the latest techniques and trends to keep pace or exceed innovations in the marketplace.
• Demonstrate passion for the business, extreme discipline, patience, and attention to detail.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8-10 years baking experience and baking management experience.
• Bachelor's degree in pastry arts / Culinology (CCS), RCA Chef, Red Seal designation.
• Degree in Food Science / Food Engineering with a strong Baking Science background preferred.
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working in a fast-changing environment where continuous innovation is desired.
• Passionate leader capable of motivating and nurturing a high functioning, diverse team.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in working within a production environment.
• Ability to work with multiple levels of management both internally and with assigned customer base.
• Strong communication & presentation skills, both in developing and delivering to senior levels
• Ability to interpret Sales & Financial data to develop successful strategies to attain company goals that are identified.
• Complete understanding of market trends & conditions with the ability to adapt quickly to maximize performance.
• Team player with the ability to work independently and in diverse group settings.
• Ability to work with multiple levels of management both internally and with assigned customer base.

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is North America’s fastest-growing premium dessert company, recognized for providing retail and foodservice customers with chef-inspired, innovative desserts made with real ingredients, a flexible and low-cost supply chain, and best-in-class service.

The company is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands : Steven Charles, The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, and Dianne’s Fine Desserts.

Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, employing more than 3,200 people across eight manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.