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Menu Development Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

... R&D and various Menu Strategy team tools within Google Workspace • Lead the meal selection process including preparing the data, leading the meeting, and allocating meals to menus • Support ...

Lead Baker

Mount Prospect, IL · On-site

$26 - $29/hr

You'll lead daily bakery production, collaborate on menu development, oversee one baker, and play an important role in catering and special events. We're looking for someone who takes pride in ...

Bring your creative touch to menu development, maintaining our commitment to quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction. * Drive Financial Success : Manage budgets, control costs, and maximize ...

Bring your creative touch to menu development, maintaining our commitment to quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction. * Drive Financial Success : Manage budgets, control costs, and maximize ...

Culinary Development Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$147K/yr

Understand the benefit of additional sales opportunities and secondary opportunities for selling products, reducing overall shrink risk. * Assist in menu development for retail and restaurant ...

Line Cook

Gary, IN · On-site

$15.75 - $19.75/hr

... in menu development and contribute to seasonal specials and promotions. - Monitor inventory levels and help with ordering supplies as needed. **Required Skills and Qualifications:** - Proven ...

Line Cook

Gary, IN

$15.75 - $19.75/hr

... in menu development and contribute to seasonal specials and promotions. - Monitor inventory levels and help with ordering supplies as needed. **Required Skills and Qualifications:** - Proven ...

Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Menu Development & Culinary Innovation: * Lead the creation, development, execution, and ongoing evolution of menus across all Club dining outlets. * Balance innovation, seasonality, wellness, member ...

Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Menu Development & Culinary Innovation: * Lead the creation, development, execution, and ongoing evolution of menus across all Club dining outlets. * Balance innovation, seasonality, wellness, member ...

Menu Development & Culinary Innovation: * Lead the creation, development, execution, and ongoing evolution of menus across all Club dining outlets. * Balance innovation, seasonality, wellness, member ...

Menu Development: Develop innovative and appealing menus that meet the needs and preferences of our clientele while also considering seasonal ingredients, dietary restrictions, and budgetary ...

Executive Chef

Matteson, IL · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

The ideal candidate is a strong culinary leader with banquet expertise, menu-development experience, financial knowledge, and the ability to manage multiple kitchen operations in a fast-paced ...

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Guest Experience & Menu Development:  Assist in creating seasonal and innovative menu items.  Ensure food quality consistently exceeds guest expectations.  Attend service lineups and engage ...

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Menu Development information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$51.5K

$110.9K

$178.7K

How much do menu development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for menu development in Chicago, IL is $110,944.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,700.00 and $125,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is menu development?

A Menu Development job involves creating, testing, and refining food and beverage menus for restaurants, cafes, or catering businesses. Professionals in this role research food trends, balance flavors, and ensure profitability while maintaining brand identity. They collaborate with chefs, suppliers, and marketing teams to design appealing and cost-effective menu items. Additionally, they may consider dietary restrictions, sustainability, and customer preferences to enhance the dining experience.

What does someone in menu development do?

In a Menu Development role, daily tasks often include researching food trends, developing and testing new recipes, analyzing menu performance data, and collaborating with chefs, nutritionists, and procurement teams. Menu developers may also be responsible for adjusting existing menus to optimize profitability and catering to customer preferences while ensuring quality and consistency. Regular meetings and tastings are part of the job, as is working closely with marketing teams to create visually appealing menu descriptions. This collaborative environment allows you to have a direct impact on both culinary creativity and the business success of the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in menu development?

Excelling in Menu Development requires a strong understanding of culinary trends, nutrition, recipe costing, and food safety, often backed by experience in culinary arts or hospitality management. Familiarity with menu engineering software, inventory systems, and culinary certifications such as ServSafe are commonly beneficial. Creativity, collaboration, and attention to detail help professionals design attractive and cost-effective menus that align with brand standards. These skills ensure menus are innovative, profitable, and meet customer and operational needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Menu Development job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,944 per year, or $53.3 per hour.

Senior Analyst - Menu Design

United Airlines, Inc.

Chicago, IL • On-site

$88K - $109K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


United Airlines rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 342 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 26 rated airlines


Job description

Description
We are filling two Senior Analyst - Menu Design positions: one focused on Clubs & Lounges Food & Beverage and the other on Onboard/Inflight Packaged Snacks & Retail. Responsibilities for each role are outlined below.
Clubs & Lounges Food & Beverage Responsibilities:
The Menu Design team is responsible for the strategy, planning, and execution of United's Food & Beverage experience onboard and in the United Clubs and Polaris Lounges. The Senior Analyst - Menu Design leads the development, implementation, and ongoing evolution of menu offerings within a designated portfolio, balancing customer experience, operational excellence, and financial performance. This role partners cross-functionally with the Clubs & Lounges Commercial Team, Premium Services, foodservice vendors, Finance, Marketing, Procurement, and other internal/external stakeholders to deliver innovative F&B programs that enhance the travel experience for millions of United passengers.
This individual will be assigned a specific area of responsibility under the F&B portfolio, specializing in menu design and programming within the United Club and Polaris Lounge network. The Senior Analyst provides strategic recommendations informed by customer insights, operational performance, and industry trends to drive continuous improvement, support product innovation, and ensure the successful execution of seasonal menu changes and complex, enterprise-wide initiatives impacting United's global travelers.
  • Dedicated oversight of the implementation and ongoing management of food and beverage menus within United Club and Polaris Lounge portfolios.
  • Partner with the Premium Services, Clubs & Lounges Commercial Team, Marketing, Procurement, Finance, Foodservice Vendors and other internal/external stakeholders to communicate and execute new menu concepts and other service changes.
  • Collaborate with various United teams and external business partners to design, implement, and track performance of food and beverage related activations, promotions, and marketing initiatives for United Clubs and Polaris Lounges portfolio.
  • Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement throughout all stages of menu development.
  • This role will require traveling up to 25% of the time

Onboard/Inflight Packaged Snacks & Retail Responsibilities:
The Menu Design team is responsible for the strategy, planning, and execution of United's Food & Beverage experience onboard and in the United Clubs and Polaris Lounges. The Senior Analyst - Menu Design leads the development, implementation, and ongoing evolution of menu offerings within a designated portfolio, balancing customer experience, operational excellence, and financial performance. This role partners cross-functionally with culinary teams, suppliers, catering operations, procurement, finance, marketing, and other stakeholders to deliver innovative F&B programs that enhance the travel experience for millions of United passengers.
This individual will be assigned a specific area of responsibility under the F&B portfolio, including but not limited to Onboard Complimentary Offerings, Onboard Retail Offerings, and Packaged Snacks across various service profiles (Polaris, Domestic First Class, United Premium Plus, Transcon, Economy, Special Meals, Beverages). The Senior Analyst provides strategic recommendations informed by customer insights, operational performance, and industry trends to drive continuous improvement, support product innovation, and ensure the successful execution of complex, enterprise-wide initiatives impacting United's global travelers.
  • Dedicated oversight of the implementation and ongoing management of food and beverage offerings within United's onboard portfolio.
  • Partner with the Catering Operations, Inflight, Onboard Experience, Marketing, Procurement, Finance, and other internal/external stakeholders to communicate and execute new menu concepts and other service changes.
  • Collaborate with various United teams and external business partners to design, implement, and track performance of retail and snack-related activations, promotions, and marketing initiatives for onboard portfolio.
  • Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement throughout all stages of menu development.
  • Support technology and back-end systems including but not limited to AirVision and Food Service Message (FSM) updates.
  • This role will require traveling up to 10% of the time.

Note: These are Chicago-based hybrid roles with in-office requirements 50% of the time.
Qualifications
What's needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):
  • Bachelor's degree
  • 2+ years of relevant experience
  • Ability to solve complex operational problems
  • Experience communicating with a diverse group of stakeholders
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
  • Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
  • Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):
  • 1+ year of airline experience
  • 1+ year of hospitality operations or service experience
  • Prior experience with premium services or clubs & lounge commercial experience
  • Prior experience with Inflight Services and/or Catering Operations workgroups
  • Leadership exposure and speaking presence
  • Knowledge of restaurant or lounge operations
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them to support research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving. Apply critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies for responsible AI use, data privacy, and security.

United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status and other protected status as required by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions. Please contact JobAccommodations@united.com to request accommodation.

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About United Airlines

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

United Airlines is embarking on an exciting journey to become the best airline in aviation history. Our purpose, "Connecting People, Uniting the World," extends beyond transportation, emphasizing our commitment to uplift and create opportunities in the places we serve. With a global presence and diverse workforce, we value inclusivity and are dedicated to hiring tens of thousands of individuals across various roles. Our comprehensive benefits package, including perks like space available travel, parental leave, and 401k, aims to support your well-being and growth.

Industry

Aviation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1926

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