Innovation Lab Manager (Contract)
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Innovation Lab Manager provides operational support to the Culinary team by maintaining a clean, organized, and well-stocked Innovation Lab. This contract role is responsible for managing inventory, coordinating sample intake and organization, maintaining ingredient and supply availability, and supporting invoice administration. The Innovation Lab Manager serves as a key operational partner to the Culinary team, ensuring the lab environment is prepared to support product development, testing, and day-to-day business needs.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain a clean, organized, and functional Innovation Lab, including workspaces, equipment, storage areas, and ingredient organization.
- Manage inventory and maintain adequate stock levels of ingredients, supplies, disposables, and smallwares to support culinary, QA, and Operations activities.
- Receive, label, organize, and record incoming ingredient, packaging, and supplier samples in partnership with Culinary and Supply Chain teams.
- Manage invoice submission, tracking, and recordkeeping.
- Provide operational support for culinary development activities, including test kitchen setup, ingredient organization, product tastings, and other project needs as requested.
- Monitor equipment needs and coordinate maintenance and repair requests with the Facilities Manager as needed.
- Support kitchen sanitation standards and maintain a safe, professional working environment.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate degree, culinary certification, or related coursework in culinary arts, hospitality, foodservice management, or business is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
- 2+ years of experience in kitchen operations, foodservice, hospitality, culinary support, or related environments.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain inventory, records, and multiple priorities.
- Experience receiving, organizing, and managing ingredients, supplies, and product samples.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, and Teams.
- Ability to work independently and proactively identify operational needs.
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Ability to lift and move deliveries, ingredients, and kitchen supplies as needed.
- Collaborative, dependable, and service-oriented mindset.
- Passion for food, culinary innovation, and supporting a high-performing development team.