Are you ready to elevate your career in manufacturing operations and be a part of creating the world’s best desserts? Dessert Holdings partners with some of North America’s most iconic chains to bring people together to celebrate life’s sweetest moments!

Dessert Holdings is looking for a Director of Culinary Innovation, who will lead a team of chefs based in Aurora, CO, taking ideas and building them into exceptional new products to meet sales and business initiatives. With a thorough understanding of baking science, ingredient technology, commercial bakery process equipment, commercializing products, and on-trend ideas, the Culinary team create bench samples that delight our customers. We are looking for someone with a passion for creativity and development, balanced with a scientific and results-oriented mindset.

The typical hiring range for this role is $125,000 to $140,000 annually and is based on several factors such as education, work experience, skills, certifications, location, etc. In addition to pay, Dessert Holdings offers benefits such as a choice of comprehensive medical plans, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation and holidays, and retirement contribution to all eligible employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee Innovation team working on strategic ideas for foodservice and retail customers, including high-quality, innovative desserts for different market segments.
• Create, implement, and support process to build for scale and on-time delivery to ensure products meet customer needs.
• Develop and implement systems that ensure Culinary Chefs are forward-thinking, on-trend, and constantly innovative.
• Work with the Commercialization team to design, and execute test and trial plans, taking into consideration the level of risk, operational constraints, and overall cost.
• Manage and trouble-shoot ingredient functionality and recipe formulation within processing parameters.
• Prepare and present samples and specifications for customer presentation and acceptance.
• Improve product quality through ongoing review of formulation and process parameters.
• Provide technical support to ensure the plant produces exceptional quality with efficient results, report on any technical issues which may impact the business and provide technical support to external and internal customers.
• Coach and mentor Culinary Chefs, Technologists, Food Scientists, and others in the Production Innovation & Development department.

Qualifications

• Culinary Arts degree with a baking/pastry focus is required; a Bachelor’s degree or additional education in food science can be an asset but is not required
• At least 8 years of experience in management roles in a Culinary/R&D function, with prior experience in dessert manufacturing
• Strong communication skills with internal teams and external sales teams and customers
• Strong bench skills and ability to create innovative desserts that can be scaled within the company’s production capacity
• Strong project management skills, leadership skills, ability to multitask, and results-oriented focus
• Expert knowledge of food styles and trends, Canadian and U.S. food standards and regulations (including HACCP, SQF, BRC, GMP), and recipe formulation and raw materials
• Ability to travel up to 30%

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is North America’s fastest-growing premium dessert company, recognized for providing retail and foodservice customers with chef-inspired, innovative desserts made with real ingredients, a flexible and low-cost supply chain, and best-in-class service. The company is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: Steven Charles, The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Dianne’s Fine Desserts, and Kenny’s Great Pies. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, employing more than 3,200 people across nine manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.