ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Food Innovation Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sodexo

General Manager 3 - Food

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

As the General Manager 3 supporting retail food operations at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara , you ... and innovation within a fast-paced healthcare environment. SodexoMagic is the joint venture ...

Sodexo

General Manager 3 - Food

San Jose, CA · On-site

Role Overview General Manager 3 - Food | San Jose, CA The General Manager 3 - Food leads a vibrant ... innovation. This role oversees cafe and catering services while cultivating strong client ...

Sodexo

General Manager 3 - Food

San Jose, CA · On-site

$77K - $100K/yr

General Manager 3 - Food | San Jose, CA The General Manager 3 - Food leads a vibrant corporate ... innovation. This role oversees café and catering services while cultivating strong client ...

Woodlands Market

Food Service Manager

Tiburon, CA

$28 - $36.06/hr

Reporting directly to the Store Manager, the Food Service Manager has ultimate operational and ... Who Are We. Woodlands Market is a leader in gourmet retailing, service and innovation in the ...

Santa Cruz Nutritionals

Innovation Scientist

Santa Cruz, CA · On-site

$101K - $152K/yr

With unique food science expertise and proprietary processes, we've pioneered many firsts. The fire ... This position works mostly independently with guidance from management and senior R&D staff as ...

Santa Cruz Nutritionals

Innovation Scientist

Santa Cruz, CA · On-site

$101K - $152K/yr

With unique food science expertise and proprietary processes, we've pioneered many firsts. The fire ... This position works mostly independently with guidance from management and senior R&D staff as ...

Woodlands Market

Food Service Manager

Tiburon, CA · On-site

$28 - $36.06/hr

Description Reporting directly to the Store Manager, the Food Service Manager has ultimate ... Who Are We? Woodlands Market is a leader in gourmet retailing, service and innovation in the ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsFood Innovation JobsFood Innovation Manager JobsFood Innovation Manager Jobs in California

Food Innovation Manager information

What is the difference between Food Innovation Manager vs Food Product Developer?

AspectFood Innovation ManagerFood Product Developer
Primary FocusOversees innovation strategies, explores new food concepts, manages R&D teamsDesigns, develops, and tests new food products
Required SkillsInnovation management, project coordination, food science knowledgeFood formulation, product testing, culinary skills
Work EnvironmentCorporate R&D, innovation labs, cross-functional teamsProduct development labs, manufacturing facilities
Common EmployersFood companies, FMCG brands, innovation consultanciesFood manufacturing companies, startups, R&D centers

While both roles involve food development, the Food Innovation Manager focuses on strategic innovation and managing teams to explore new concepts, whereas the Food Product Developer concentrates on creating and testing specific food products. The roles often collaborate but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What does a Food Innovation Manager do?

A Food Innovation Manager is responsible for developing and implementing new food products, processes, or technologies within a company. They lead cross-functional teams to research market trends, identify consumer needs, and oversee the creation and launch of innovative food items. Their role involves collaborating with chefs, food scientists, marketing teams, and suppliers to ensure products are both creative and commercially viable. They also monitor industry developments to keep their company at the forefront of food trends and innovation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Food Innovation Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Innovation Manager, you need expertise in food science, product development, and market trend analysis, often supported by a degree in food technology, culinary arts, or a related field. Familiarity with food safety regulations, sensory analysis tools, and product lifecycle management software is typically required. Creativity, project management, and strong communication skills help drive successful cross-functional collaboration and innovative product launches. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing market-ready food products that meet consumer demands and regulatory standards.

What are the typical cross-functional collaborations for a Food Innovation Manager, and how do they impact daily work?

Food Innovation Managers regularly collaborate with teams such as R&D, marketing, supply chain, and quality assurance. These interactions are essential for aligning product development with market trends, ensuring feasibility in production, and maintaining compliance with food safety standards. Daily activities often involve joint meetings, brainstorming sessions, and coordinating timelines to bring innovative products from concept to launch. Successful collaboration helps streamline processes, fosters creative solutions, and accelerates time-to-market for new products.
What cities in California are hiring for Food Innovation Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Food Innovation Manager job openings:
Food Innovation Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Innovation Manager job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

General Manager 3 - Food

Sodexo

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 hours ago

Sodexo rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,134 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

337th of 481 rated business services

Job description

Role OverviewAt Sodexo, we believe every interaction is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As the General Manager 3 supporting retail food operations at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara, you will lead a high-performing team dedicated to delivering an exceptional dining experience for patients, visitors, and healthcare staff. This role is responsible for overseeing all retail food venues, driving operational excellence, enhancing customer satisfaction, managing financial performance, and fostering a culture of safety, service, and innovation within a fast-paced healthcare environment. 

SodexoMagic is the joint venture partnership between NBA Hall of Famer, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Sodexo. This strategic alliance enables us to deliver creative solutions to our clients along with our local partners throughout the communities we serve. For almost 20 years, we have provided top-level food, facilities management and integrated services to corporations, healthcare facilities, K-12 schools, colleges, universities and aviation lounges.

What You'll Do
  • Lead all retail food operations, ensuring exceptional service, quality, food safety, and compliance standards across cafes, coffee venues, and grab-and-go offerings.
  • Drive financial success through budgeting, forecasting, labor management, cost controls, and revenue growth initiatives that meet or exceed business goals.
  • Develop and inspire teams by recruiting, coaching, and mentoring managers and frontline employees while building an inclusive, engaged, and customer-focused culture.
  • Partner with Kaiser Permanente stakeholders to enhance the dining experience, implement innovative retail programs, and ensure operational excellence aligned with client expectations.
What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
  • 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
  • Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring
  • Proven leadership experience managing large-scale retail food operations, hospitality, healthcare, campus, or corporate dining environments with responsibility for financial and operational performance.
  • Strong business acumen with demonstrated success in budgeting, labor management, food cost control, and driving revenue growth.
  • Exceptional customer service focus with the ability to build relationships, respond to customer needs, and create memorable dining experiences.
  • A results-oriented and collaborative leadership style with excellent communication skills, a passion for developing talent, and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you're happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 3 yearsMinimum Functional Experience - 3 years

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

What Sodexo employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply