Culinary & Innovation Manager – United Kingdom

Culinary & Innovation Manager – United Kingdom

London, UK Req #1534

05 November 2024

We are Subway! A dedicated team of professionals supporting thousands of franchisees around the globe.

Culinary & Innovation Manager – United Kingdom

Region: London, United Kingdom

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:

The Manager of Culinary & Innovation provides food science and culinary expertise to execute 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:

1. Be in charge of specific NPD projects where you will lead the project, feedback to suppliers, conduct tastings, finalize costings and present back to the wider team, as well as collaborate cross-functionally (i.e., Marketing, Ops, Purchasing, FSQA and Digital) to effectively bring new products to life.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Write product specifications/recipes on all new products and provide R&D approval for any changes to existing specifications.
5. Support on consumer testing, such as CLTs (Central Location Testing), which are likely to take place in the UK or Germany.
6. Develops and presents to brand leadership and Franchise partners new beverage & food items, new menu platforms, limited time offers, catering and delivery innovation.
7. Partners with Marketing, Operations, QA and the Sourcing team to test product quality and identify areas for cost and quality improvement.
8. Partners with the Sourcing team to select suppliers and manufacturers that are capable of meeting product quality and product specifications in the most cost-effective manner.
9. 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.

Skills and Abilities Required:

1. Bachelor in Culinary, Food Science related discipline.
2. 5 years of food industry experience, formal product development process experience.
3. Knowledge of Nutrition and labeling guidelines.
4. Clear, concise communication skills, both written and verbal.
5. Demonstrated experience in developing research templates and test designs and evaluating data.
6. Computer proficiency (Microsoft Office, database, Internet, and documentation software required).
7. Strong knowledge and experience of multi-location national and/or regional chain desired.
8. Strong team player and motivated problem solver.
9. Strong palette and understanding of flavours.
10. Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines and be organized.
11. Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, and to balance changing priorities to drive key projects to completion with minimal supervision.
12. Demonstrated high level of creativity and personal initiative, and a natural sense of inquisitiveness and curiosity.
13. Solid analytical skills with the ability to develop creative solutions to solve problems.
14. Communicate effectively cross-functionally. Including the ability to present both verbal and written findings, project reports, and status updates.
15. Food commercializing experiences in a wide range of categories.
16. Well-developed sense of taste and aesthetics, balanced with value-drivers in food.

What do we Offer?

• Pension
• Competitive Bonus
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Company Holidays
• Employee Resource Groups
• Volunteering time
• And Many More…..

The Company is only considering applicants who are currently authorized to work in the country the position is based.