Senior Culinary Lead

Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a renowned American fast-food restaurant chain specializing in chicken sandwiches and known for its exceptional customer service and community-centric business model. Founded in 1946, Chick-fil-A has grown significantly over the decades and established itself as a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry across the United States. The company is committed to creating a positive dining experience for its customers while fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment for its employees. Chick-fil-A operates a diverse range of restaurants and is frequently recognized for its innovative menu offerings, operational excellence, and dedication to corporate responsibility.

The company embraces a Flexible Futures Model that balances in-person work with virtual engagement, enabling staff members to collaborate effectively while maintaining the culture of inclusivity and teamwork that Chick-fil-A values deeply. With a focus on continual growth, development, and innovation, Chick-fil-A seeks team members who are passionate about exceeding customer expectations, improving operational processes, and advancing the brand's reputation for quality food and service.

The role of Senior Culinary Lead within Chick-fil-A's Culinary team is a pivotal position that directly impacts menu innovation, product quality, and operational efficiency. This role is housed within the Menu & Packaging Team in the Marketing division and focuses predominantly on Menu and Supply Chain innovation projects. The Senior Culinary Lead will be responsible for identifying and developing new food products, refining production processes, and creating tools that either drive growth or reduce overall costs to the system while ensuring that high standards of product quality and execution are consistently met.

As a Senior Culinary Lead, you will be instrumental in driving both short and long-term projects aimed at creating crave-worthy menu items which support the brand's health and competitive edge. This position requires a high degree of technical expertise to develop and review food formulations, tools, procedures, specifications, and quality requirements. You will work autonomously with a proactive, innovative mindset, leading cross-functional teams and managing relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners such as suppliers and manufacturing facilities.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for food science, a commitment to excellence in execution, and the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels including senior leadership. Your responsibilities will include driving growth through new menu development, simplifying production methods, organizing and leading product testing, and integrating operational feasibility into culinary innovation.

Chick-fil-A values continuous learning and thought leadership in food trends and industry practices, expecting its Senior Culinary Leads to maintain professional and technical knowledge through workshops, publications, and networking. This position offers a unique opportunity to work hands-on in a variety of settings including research and development kitchens, Chick-fil-A restaurants, and supplier or manufacturing facilities, providing a varied and dynamic work environment.