Culinary Innovation Manager

CULTIVATE A BETTER WORLD

Food served fast does not have to be a typical fast-food experience. Chipotle has always done things differently, both in and out of our restaurants. We are changing the face of fast food, starting conversations, and directly supporting efforts to shift the future of farming and food. We hope you will join us as we continue to learn, evolve, and shape what comes next on our mission to make better food accessible to everyone.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As a member of the culinary team for Chipotle you will execute and support Chipotle’s Culinary Strategy. The culinary strategy includes delivering on our commitment of being Guest Obsessed, serving Real Food with Integrity, Culinary Excellence, Product R&D Innovation, and supporting Culinary Operations.

You will partner with a dynamic culinary team, cross functional Chipotle partners, and suppliers to deliver on Chipotle’s key growth strategies. This is a hands-on culinary role involving leading culinary team members and projects. The role requires fluency in Chipotle’s Food with Integrity (FWI) ethos, New Product Innovation, Product R&D, and Chipotle’s BOH Culinary program.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Culinary Leadership – Skilled and experienced in Product Innovation and R&D. Fluent in Chipotle’s BOH culinary operations and partners with a culinary team to execute established objectives and priorities using the Stage Gate Process for Innovation and Core Improvement projects.
• New Menu Innovation – Manages and stewards new Product Innovation projets at CMG
• Core Ingredients & Food with Integrity Stewardship - Partners closely with CMG cross functional teams including suppliers to ensure CMG core menu and Innovation ingredients meet our Classic Culinary, Real Food, and Food with Integrity (FWI) standards.
• Core Menu Optimization - Partners with cross functional members to validate new and updated Core menu ingredients via the Stage-Gate Process. Oversees the Culinary R&D for Core optimization efforts.
• Consumer Testing and Product Validation – Responsible for planning and executing key consumer and cross functional validations of optimized core or innovative items. This includes In-store Testing, Focus Groups, CLT’s, Concept Development, Operations Testing, Market Pilots, and more.

• WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TABLE

• Education: Culinary Arts Degree required, 4- year bachelor’s degree preferred
• Experience: 7 + years of active culinary experience, including 3+ years in QSR and multi-unit service segment experience including experience in manager roles preferred
• Supervisory: 2+ years supervisory experience preferred
• A Passion for Exceptional People, Exceptional Food, and Cultivating a Better World
• Dynamic culinary lead with proven track record of innovation, R&D, commercialization, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, focused on collaboration, accountability, and results.
• Expertise: Menu Innovation, Product R&D, Product Benchmarking, Core Product Optimization
• Project/people: Manage multiple initiatives and teams; strong project management and people skills
• Communication: Articulate presenter to diverse audiences/leadership; skilled in tastings, PowerPoint, and impactful formats
• Work model: 15–25% domestic travel; 5-day in-person week at Chipotle Newport Beach & Irvine offices

PAY TRANSPARENCY

A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range for this position is $113,000.00–$158,000.00. You are also eligible for annual cash bonuses and equity awards based upon performance and other factors. Actual compensation offered may vary depending on skill level, experience, and/or education. Chipotle offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, sick leave, vacation time, and much more. Visit https://jobs.chipotle.com/benefits for more details.

WHO WE ARE

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle has restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM

Chipotle Mexican Grill is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. As a people-first company rooted in values, our purpose extends beyond serving nutritious food using real ingredients. It means hiring world-class individuals and fostering a culture that champions diversity, ensures equity, and celebrates inclusion. All qualified applicants, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  

Qualified applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or certain state or local laws. Please contact [email protected] if you need an accommodation due to a disability to complete an application, job interview, and/or to otherwise participate in the hiring process. This email does not respond to non-accommodations related requests.