The R&D Coordinator is a hybrid role that combines elements of test kitchen management (sample receiving, R&D, showcase execution, kitchen upkeep) with product development, supplier vendor management, and cross-functional teamwork (OPS, Supply Chain, Marketing, PR).

Reporting

The R&D Coordinator reports directly to the Senior Manager of Product Development and Culinary Commercialization.

Responsibilities

Culinary Innovation

Contribute to the ideation, development, and execution of new food products, flavors, and recipes that align with the company’s mission

Participate in creating, developing, and documenting precise recipes, including ingredient specifications, cooking techniques, and portion guidelines for both new and existing products

Organize, conduct, and manage tasting sessions and product showcases to gather feedback from cross-functional teams, make recommendations, and implement appropriate changes

Maintain accurate and organized records of all recipes and formulas

Collaborate with Food Safety to identify how the operational processes created in the ideation and development phases are transferable to the store level in order to maintain food safety and quality at the highest standards

Stay informed about industry trends, consumer preferences, and competitive products to guide R&D efforts

Engage with, and at times, lead cross-functional teams (Supply Chain, Food Safety, Finance, Marketing, Operations, and QA) to determine how to execute all menu implementation steps from development to launch

Menu Testing

Create and test various recipes and variations of recipes including prep, cook, and service procedures to clearly communicate new menu items to test stores, iterating as necessary from in-store feedback to facilitate fleet-wide launch

Communicates feedback and findings cross-functionally to facilitate and resolve issues before and during the test phase

Documents and shares test results with appropriate stakeholders

Culinary Team

Kitchen Operations and Equipment

Participate in the creation and development of training procedures, documentation, and video/photo collateral for market test products, LTO products, and core menu items.

Meaningfully support, and at times lead, in kitchen operations and equipment explorations making recommendations for continuous improvement of labor, quality, and/or other company objectives

Manage the setup for cross-functional showings of proposed equipment changes

Participate with org-wide training and travel plan for implementation to represent the culinary team for regional sessions of product rollouts and product launches

Sets up and assists with products for photoshoots and video shoots

Product Development and Commercialization

Manages product evaluations from start to finish including set up, organization, and documentation of samples

Conducts relevant physical and analytical testing requirements for product samples

Test Kitchen Management

Responsible for maintaining a safe, clean, and organized test kitchen through leading communications with vendor management

Weekly management of inventory; keeping test kitchen fully stocked with all sweetgreen approved grocery ingredients, ordering perishable items when applicable, donating food no longer in use, regular purging of expired ingredients

Responsible for the care, upkeep, and ordering of all equipment and small wares

Desired Experience And Traits

3-5 years restaurant experience, a combination of fine dining and fast casual preferred (or the equivalent)

Preferred degree in Culinary (Associates) or Food Science (Bachelor’s) or related field

An understanding and passion for healthy, sustainable and local food

Proficient knife skills and ability to learn to operate sweetgreen’s store equipment (Rational oven, blast chiller, Robotcoupe, etc.)

Knowledge of food safety and quality standards and regulations

Creative and innovative mindset with a passion for exploring new culinary trends and ingredients

Extremely organized and detail-oriented

Flexibility and ability to react professionally to changes in schedules and/or project direction

Ability to travel up to 30% of the time on an as needed basis

Excellent written and verbal communication that is honest, open, and effective

Excellent communication and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams

Ability to work independently and problem solve

Ability to work resourcefully in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities

Commitment to building a more sustainable food system

Passionate about continued learning

What You'll Get

Highly competitive pay + bonus plan

Three different medical plans to suit your and your family's needs

Dental and Vision insurance

Flexible PTO plan

401k program

Employee HSA and FSA

Complimentary greens

An opportunity to make a real impact on the people around you, both by growing them and by connecting them to real food

To live the sweetlife and celebrate your passion + purpose

A collaborative team of people who live our core values and have your back

A clear career path with opportunities for development, both personally and professionally

Free sweetgreen swag

Come join the sweetlife!

About Sweetgreen

sweetgreen is on a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. We passionately believe that real food should be convenient and accessible to everyone. Every day in each sweetgreen, our 3,500 team members make food from scratch, using fresh ingredients and produce delivered that morning. And in our local communities, we’re committed to leaving people better than we found them. We’re in the business of feeding people, and we’re out to change what that means.

sweetgreen provides equal opportunities for everyone that works for us and everyone that applies to join our team, without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, any service, past, present, or future, in the uniformed services of the United States (military or veteran status), or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law.

sweetgreen participates in the federal government's E-Verify program to determine employment eligibility. To learn more about the E-Verify program, please click here.

Salary Range For This Role

Starting salary range based on experience

$90,000—$100,000 USD

California residents: Review our applicant privacy notice HERE.

sweetgreen participates in the federal government's E-Verify program to determine employment eligibility. To learn more about the E-Verify program, please click here.

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