About You As the Culinary Research & Development Manager, you oversee and manage Noodles & Company’s Culinary R&D environment, including test kitchen operations, product testing, and cross-functional coordination. You are responsible for ensuring R&D activities are executed accurately, efficiently, and in alignment with brand standards, operational readiness, and launch timelines.
In this role, you serve as a key liaison between Culinary R&D and Supply Chain, Finance, Training, Marketing, and Operations. You own the coordination and execution of operational and market testing, vendor engagement, and test kitchen management. You also contribute culinary insights from testing, supplier capabilities, and trend observations to support menu development discussions and prioritization.
About Noodles
At Noodles & Company, we believe great food can spark meaningful connections. That’s why we’re on a mission to reintroduce the world to noodles—not just as a meal, but as an experience worth craving. As we evolve our brand to meet the modern guest, we’re focused on creating moments that surprise, delight, and shift perceptions of what fast-casual can be.
Every bowl we serve is rooted in global flavors, fresh ingredients, and intentional hospitality that makes guests feel seen and valued. Our values—We Care, We Show Pride, We Are Passionate, and We Love Life—guide how we show up for our guests, our team members, and each other.
Benefits Careers at Noodles are served with a side of:
Pay range: $75,000-$90,000 annual salary
Eligible for annual performance bonus up to 15%
Flexible paid time off
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) and stock purchase discounts
Paid maternity and paternity leaves, adoption, and surrogacy benefits
Noodles Resource Groups – inclusive communities that foster belonging, build connections, and support your personal and professional growth
Scholarship opportunities through Noodles Foundation
Manage culinary projects, including menu showings, product cuttings, taste panels, and senior leadership food presentations
Manage structured prototype testing and evaluation sessions, ensuring clear documentation of outcomes and readiness
Own coordination and scheduling of vendor product showings and supplier evaluations
Request, track, and manage product samples from vendors
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to support, market testing for menu items, limited-time offers, products, and procedures.
Partner closely with Marketing, Supply Management, Training, and Operations on test communications and execution plans
Own timelines and deliverables to ensure accurate, on-time handoffs to the menu team, training, and field operations
Review, proof, and edit all operational and culinary materials prior to finalization and print
Ensure R&D outputs align with brand standards, food safety requirements, and operational execution expectations prior to handoff
Synthesize testing results and cross-functional feedback into clear recommendations that support menu, training, and operational readiness decisions
Coordinate food, packaging, and utensil needs for photo shoots, television productions, and promotional content
Support public relations efforts and on-air cooking demonstrations as needed
Serve as the primary R&D liaison to Training, ensuring all menu, recipe, and execution details are accurately communicated
Manage test kitchen inventory, including product rotation, paper goods, and small wares
Coordinate receiving and distribution of products and equipment for testing and special requests
Manage the test kitchen environment, including sourcing new equipment, coordinating cleaning schedules, and ensuring ongoing maintenance
What You Bring to the Team
Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Hospitality, or a related field preferred, or equivalent hands-on experience in restaurant culinary or test kitchen environments
4–5+ years of progressive experience in restaurant kitchens, culinary R&D, or test kitchen environments, with exposure to corporate or multi-unit operations
Demonstrated experience leading culinary testing, menu development support, or commercialization efforts in partnership with Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Training
Strong operational credibility, with a deep understanding of products, equipment, procedures, and execution at scale in a restaurant environment
Proven ability to manage multiple vendors and supplier relationships, including coordinating product samples, evaluations, and testing timelines
High level of ownership and accountability, with the ability to independently manage priorities, timelines, and deliverables across concurrent projects
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to navigate shifting priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Detail-oriented mindset with the judgment to balance precision, speed, and practicality during development and testing
Collaborative leadership style that fosters trust, alignment, and effective teamwork across cross-functional partners
Effective problem-solving skills, with the confidence to make decisions, escalate risks appropriately, and drive solutions forward
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Mac Pages, with the ability to learn and manage inventory or R&D systems such as ERS
Willingness and ability to travel as needed to support restaurant testing, training initiatives, and publicity or media events
This role requires regular preparation, handling, and sensory evaluation of food products, including exposure to common food allergens in a test kitchen environment. The individual must be able to safely perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
This role is based in our Restaurant Support Center in Broomfield, Colorado and requires regular on-site work, including time in our test kitchen, with occasional travel to test restaurants or suppliers as needed. Candidates should expect to be on-site most of the week. We’re seeking candidates who either reside locally or are open to relocating.
Noodles is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Military Friendly workplace. We encourage Veterans and their spouses to apply. We are proud to be recognized on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity and Forbes' Best Employers for Women lists and are committed to creating a culture of belonging where Noodlers can bring their full self to work.
Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by role, but all positions at Noodles & Company remain open for applications for at least 3 days from the posting date. This role is currently open and accepting applications.
