Culinary Development Manager

BUILT ON FLAVOR. FUELED BY PEOPLE.What’s it like to work at Kinder’s? Well, there’s a lot of snacking and geeking out over what we all cooked over the weekend. Beyond that, there’s also plenty of hard work. Because we don’t just like flavor, we’re obsessed with it.With over 100 products sold nationwide, we’re now a top-five brand in multiple flavor categories at Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more. We’re not your typical CPG company. Privately held and founder-led, we like to think of ourselves as a pirate ship in a sea of cruise ships. Our crew is adventurous and fearless. We chart our own course and chase big ideas to make food unforgettable.As we expand globally and approach $1 billion in revenue, we need more smart-and-scrappy, flavor-obsessed people to come aboard. If you’re looking for a place where you can see the real impact of your work... this is it! Every day, you’ll be part of a journey to add flavor to millions of meals and lives.About The RoleKinder’s is seeking an experienced and creatively driven Culinary Development Manager to join our team of passionate culinary professionals working hard to bring the future of flavor to consumers everywhere. This role is designed for a culinary leader who wants to grow inside an ambitious, fast-growing organization while representing Kinder’s through exceptional food execution and operational excellence.The Culinary Development Manager will be a critical leader in contributing to our culinary development engine. This is a high-impact role responsible for supporting innovation cycles and driving culinary gold-standard formulation through the creation, testing, and refinement of new products and flavor profiles. This role blends hands-on cooking, product testing, recipe development, field execution, and cross-functional partnership. You will partner regularly with other functions such as Innovation, R&D, Product Development, Commercialization, Brand, Sales, and Operations, to ensure quality and facilitate the scale-up of new flavors.]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" data-turn-id="bdf5638c-a114-455f-aa9e-405d00ca3c44" data-testid="conversation-turn-1" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user">Key Responsibilities IncludeCulinary Development & InnovationDrive culinary development of new flavor profiles and products for assigned segments of the Kinder’s portfolio (e.g., sauces, seasonings)Translate consumer insights, market trends, and retailer needs into differentiated, flavor-forward conceptsDevelop and iterate recipes from bench-top prototypes to culinary gold-standard formulations ready for scale-up and transition to R&D/Product DevelopmentEnsure all formulations meet Kinder’s standards for flavor, quality, and manufacturabilitySupport internal tastings, cuttings, and competitive benchmarking to inform product direction and refinementPartner with R&D/Product Development to support product evaluation, sensory documentation, and readiness for commercializationCross-Functional Leadership & CollaborationServe as a culinary partner to Innovation, Product Development, and Commercialization to move products from concept to launchCollaborate with Culinary Operations, Sourcing, and R&D/PD to evaluate and qualify new ingredientsKitchen Operations & Culinary ExcellenceMaintain detailed documentation of formulations, processes, and development learningsEnsure adherence to food safety and regulatory requirements throughout developmentContribute to a highly organized, efficient culinary environment, including kitchen operations, sample management, and equipment readinessChampion Kinder's culinary standards, brand voice, and commitment to exceptional flavor across all workCustomer/ Field Support (As Required)If needed, support customer-facing culinary initiatives (e.g., onsite innovation sessions, product demos, key buyer presentations)Prepare and execute high-quality samples for internal and external stakeholdersRepresent Kinder’s culinary perspective in interactions with customers, including buyers and other partnersEducation / ExperienceWhat You Bring To The Table:5+ years of professional culinary experience (restaurant, catering, or CPG/product development environments preferred)Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, food science, or related field preferred (or equivalent hands-on experience)Strong understanding of flavor systems, ingredient functionality, and food processing fundamentalsProven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, high variability environmentExperience developing recipes from concept through execution, with attention to consistency and scalabilityFamiliarity with ingredient sourcing, efficient kitchen operations, and inventory managementStrong understanding of food safety principals and regulatory basicsServSafe certification required (or ability to obtain within 60 daysStrong communication skills with ability to collaborate effectively across functionsPersonal CharacteristicsGrowth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach)Low ego with a strong sense of humilityEnergized by bringing brands to life through food and creating memorable flavor experiencesCollaborative and solutions-oriented, with a creative approach to problem solvingComfortable leading when needed and supporting when it best serves the teamPassionate about delivering food experiences that feel authentic, thoughtful, and humanLocation and Travel:The position will be based at our headquarters in Walnut Creek, CA. The position could also require periodic travel to other locations for consumer events and customer meetings, often with advanced notice, but occasionally on short notice when required by business needs. All costs of travel will be reimbursed by the Company consistent with its established travel policies.Pay TransparencyThe expected starting salary range for this role is $135,000- $155,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance and business needs.Seasoned For SuccessNo two days here are the same. We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don’t live by hierarchy and structure – everyone is a difference maker here. We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information – our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow. We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk. We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart. We aren’t trying to be average – we want to do exceptional things, and we are willing to work hard to achieve them. Benefits That Bring More To The TableWe offer a range of total rewards that may include paid time off, 401k, bonus / incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and other family-friendly benefits, including parental leave. Kinder’s benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.Our Recipe For BalanceWe believe great culture starts with people. We’re a people-first company built on connection, collaboration, and balance. Most of our work happens in the office to spark creativity and community, but we also offer flexibility so team members have the autonomy to work outside the office when needed to support their work-life balance and personal commitments.Where Every Ingredient MattersKinder's is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, as well as any other legally-protected characteristic. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, and you need any accommodation during the application process or to perform these job requirements, please reach out to us at careers@kinders.com