Sr. Manager, Menu

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Menu will play a pivotal role in driving our menu strategy, product lifecycle, and promotional execution. We are seeking a dynamic professional with 5–8 years of experience in the restaurant industry, specializing in menu optimization, product pipeline planning, and cross-functional coordination. This role bridges strategy and field execution, ensuring our menu pipeline drives guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and brand growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Calendar & Testing Management: Oversee and manage the comprehensive menu calendar, including scheduling and tracking all product testing phases.

• Product Pipeline & Stagegate Management: Drive the product pipeline using a structured stagegate process from ideation to launch, ensuring timely development and alignment with brand goals.

• Market Research & Industry Trends: Conduct ongoing consumer research and competitive analysis to identify emerging food trends, menu white spaces, and optimization opportunities.

• Menu Analytics: Perform deep-dive analytics on menu mix, item profitability, pricing tiers, and performance metrics to guide strategic menu engineering and optimization decisions.

• Promotional Window Coordination: Lead the seamless execution of promotional menu windows across the system, which includes:

  • Managing rollout ordering and supply chain alignment.

  • Hosting and facilitating operational training calls.

  • Crafting and distributing clear, effective field communications.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 5–8 years of professional experience within the restaurant or foodservice industry, with a strong focus on menu management, product development, and menu optimization.

• Skills & Expertise:

  • Demonstrated success managing product pipelines and stagegate innovation processes.

  • Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data and sales mix analytics into actionable menu strategies.

  • Strong project management capabilities, with experience coordinating multi-layered promotional calendars and field rollouts.

  • Outstanding communication, presentation, and cross-functional leadership skills (experience leading field communications and operational training is a must).

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Culinary Management, or a related field (or equivalent practical industry experience).