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Research And Development Chef Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Panera Bread

Senior Manager, Culinary Insights

Newton, KS · On-site

$136K - $163K/yr

... research partners, ensuring highquality deliverables and efficient use of budget. Qualifications * Experience & Expertise * 4 to 7+ years of consumer insights, focusing on menu/product development ...

Sysco

Sales Consultant

Olathe, KS · On-site

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

Sysco

Sales Consultant - Salina, KS

Salina, KS · On-site

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

Sysco Corporation

Sales Consultant

Olathe, KS · On-site

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

FHLB Des Moines

Sales Consultant - Salina

Salina, KS · On-site

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

Sysco

Sales Consultant - Olathe, KS

Olathe, KS

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

Sysco

Mandarin/Hindi Sales Consultant

Olathe, KS · On-site

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

Sysco

Sales Consultant - Wichita, KS

Wichita, KS

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

Sysco

Sales Consultant - Emporia, KS

Topeka, KS · On-site

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

3M HEALTHCARE

Sales Consultant USBL- US

Olathe, KS · On-site

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsResearch And Development Chef JobsResearch And Development Chef Jobs in Kansas

Research And Development Chef information

See Kansas salary details

$43.3K

$90.8K

$147.2K

How much do research and development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development chef in Kansas is $90,785.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $103,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research and development chef?

Research and Development (R&D) Chefs are culinary professionals who create, test, and refine new recipes and food products for restaurants, food manufacturers, or hospitality companies. They work in kitchens and labs to innovate dishes, improve existing menu items, and ensure products meet quality, taste, and safety standards. R&D Chefs often collaborate with marketing, production, and nutrition teams to bring new culinary concepts to market. Their role combines creativity, technical culinary skills, and knowledge of food science.

How does a research and development chef typically collaborate with other departments during the product development process?

A Research and Development Chef works closely with departments such as marketing, quality assurance, and production throughout the product development process. They often participate in cross-functional meetings to align culinary innovation with consumer trends, production capabilities, and regulatory requirements. Effective communication is essential, as the R&D Chef must translate creative ideas into scalable recipes while ensuring food safety and quality standards are met. This collaborative approach helps streamline the launch of new menu items or products and ensures that everyone is aligned from concept to commercialization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research and development chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research and Development Chef, you need expertise in culinary techniques, food science, and recipe development, often supported by a culinary degree or equivalent professional experience. Familiarity with product development tools, food safety regulations, sensory evaluation methods, and sometimes certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help you innovate and work effectively across teams. These skills are vital to create appealing, safe, and commercially viable food products that meet consumer and market demands.

What is the difference between Research And Development Chef vs Food Scientist?

AspectResearch And Development ChefFood Scientist
CredentialsCulinary degree, culinary certificationsDegree in food science, chemistry, or related field
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, R&D labs, food companiesLaboratories, research facilities, food manufacturing plants
Industry UsageFood product development, recipe innovationFood safety, quality control, product testing
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Research And Development Chefs focus on creating new recipes and culinary innovations, often working in kitchens and food companies. Food Scientists analyze food properties, ensuring safety and quality in labs. While both roles contribute to food product development, R&D Chefs emphasize culinary creativity, whereas Food Scientists focus on scientific analysis and safety protocols.

How much do research and development chefs make?

Research and development chefs typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer size. Senior R&D chefs or those working for large food companies can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000 with specialized skills and certifications.

How to become a research and development chef?

To become a research and development chef, individuals typically need a culinary degree or extensive cooking experience, along with knowledge of food science and product development. Skills in experimentation, creativity, and understanding of food safety are essential, and experience in a professional kitchen or food industry is often required. Certifications in food safety or culinary innovation can also enhance prospects.

What are popular job titles related to Research And Development Chef jobs in Kansas?

For Research And Development Chef jobs in Kansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research And Development Chef jobs in Kansas look for?

The top searched job categories for Research And Development Chef jobs in Kansas are:

What cities in Kansas are hiring for Research And Development Chef jobs?

Cities in Kansas with the most Research And Development Chef job openings:

Research And Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research And Development Chef job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,785 per year, or $43.6 per hour.

Senior Manager, Culinary Insights

Newton, KS • On-site

Panera Bread
Restaurants • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Panera Breadexternal

$136K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the end-to-end insights agenda for menu strategy, culinary innovation, and new product development.

  • Oversee concept testing, sensory testing, and evaluate menu performance to inform optimization and innovation.

  • Collaborate with culinary and marketing teams to shape the long-term menu vision and identify emerging food trends.

Panera Bread rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 1,472 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Senior Manager, Culinary Insights

Position Overview

The Menu & Innovation Consumer Insights Senior Manager is a strategic leader responsible for shaping the future of the brand's food and beverage portfolio through deep consumer understanding. This role blends research expertise, culinary curiosity, and business acumen to guide menu strategy, innovation pipelines, and long-term growth opportunities. The Senior Manager ensures that guest needs, behaviors, and emerging trends directly inform product development and brand experience decisions. This position will have 2 direct reports. This role is required to be in the Greater Boston Area, with an expectation to be in Panera's Newton office 3 days per week.

Scope of Responsibilities

  • Consumer Insights Leadership
    • Lead the endtoend insights agenda for menu strategy, culinary innovation, and new product development.
    • Translate complex consumer, category, and competitive insights into clear, actionable recommendations for crossfunctional partners.
    • Build and manage a learning roadmap that integrates qualitative, quantitative, syndicated, and behavioral data sources.
  • Menu & Innovation Strategy
    • Oversee concept testing and sensory testing and ensuring methodologies translate into higher sales and traffic.
    • Partner closely with Culinary and Marketing to shape the longterm menu vision and innovation pipeline.
    • Identify whitespace opportunities, emerging food trends, and unmet guest needs to fuel future product concepts.
    • Evaluate menu performance and guest satisfaction to inform optimization, renovation, and rationalization decisions.
  • CrossFunctional Collaboration
    • Work handinhand with culinary to translate insights into product briefs, prototypes, and optimizing products.
    • Present insights and strategic recommendations to culinary and marketing leadership with clarity and influence.
  • Research Excellence & Methodology
    • Most of our testing is conducted inhouse, requiring team members to be fully capable of executing the work themselves and collaborating effectively throughout the process.
    • Design and oversee custom research using a mix of qualitative and quantitative.
    • Leverage advanced analytics, segmentation, and needstate frameworks to deepen understanding of guest motivations.
    • Manage external research partners, ensuring highquality deliverables and efficient use of budget.

Qualifications

  • Experience & Expertise
    • 4 to 7+ years of consumer insights, focusing on menu/product development and innovation-ideally within the restaurant industry.
    • Proven track record of influencing product development and innovation decisions.
    • Have managed direct reports.
    • Strong understanding of culinary trends, guest behavior, and the restaurant competitive landscape.
    • Experience leading complex research programs and synthesizing insights into strategic direction.
  • Skills & Competencies
    • Comfort working in a very fastpaced, iterative environment.
    • Exceptional storytelling and communication skills.
    • Ability to translate data into compelling narratives and business recommendations.
    • Strong crossfunctional leadership and relationshipbuilding abilities.
    • Analytical rigor paired with creative, guestcentric thinking.
  • Performance & Success Measures
    • A menu rooted in deep guest understanding that translates into improved performance.
    • A robust innovation pipeline aligned with RISE strategy.
    • Clear, influential insights that shape decisions across culinary and marketing

Competitive Pay: $136,383 - $163,660 annually

The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

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About Panera Bread

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Panera began in 1987 as St. Louis Bread Company, a humble community bakery founded with a sourdough starter from San Francisco and a dream of putting a loaf of bread in every arm. While our business has expanded well beyond St. Louis since then, that same sourdough starter is still used in our iconic sourdough bread and the craft of baking bread fresh each day remains at the heart of Panera Bread. Each day our trained bakers fill our bakery shelves with delicious freshly baked cookies, pastries, bagels, and a range of breads from focaccia to classic baguettes. We believe in serving delicious, freshly prepared, Clean food made with carefully selected ingredients that we are proud to serve our own families. Our menu, crafted by chefs and bakers, features classic, comforting dishes, each with an intriguing twist. We respect our planet and take measures to lessen our impacts. We believe in treating people with warmth, kindness, and respect, whether it’s a guest in our cafe or one of our associates. And we believe in helping our local communities, especially in times of need.

Industry

Restaurants

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Louis, MO, US

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