Culinary Licensing Manager

Manager, Licensing and Culinary Applications

Apex Systems is a world-class technology services business incorporating industry insights and experience to deliver solutions that fulfill our clients' digital visions. Apex has an opportunity to be a Manager, Licensing and Culinary Applications in the Boston area. This is a Permanent position, and the pay rate is starting at $100k negotiable based on experience.

The Manager of Sauce, Licensing and Culinary Applications, leads the global product development of sauce innovation & brand maintenance, supports licensing efforts, and provides culinary support and global culinary connectivity with strategic partners in collaboration with cross-functional business partners underpinned with food science fundamentals and culinary creativity. This role is responsible for formulating and innovating to drive growth across multiple channels of trade, ensuring cobranded products meet brand equity standards across multiple licensing partnerships. Additionally, it oversees culinary applications, recipes, and a global culinary network to support our B2B Ingredient business and Food Service Sales.

Job Duties:

• Product Development Lead, Sauce Product Development Lead Product Development for a specialized business unit to drive expansion of our sauce business through new product innovation and use occasions.
• Technical Stage Gate - Guide team through our Technical Stage Gate process, from Ideation through Launch, ensuring sufficient technical and project management rigor is effectively incorporated into project plans. Guide the development of robust learning plans for all commercialization projects.
• Support Licensing Partnerships - Serve as the culinary and product development lead for licensed product initiatives, ensuring alignment with brand standards and licensing agreements.
• Ensure Food Safety, Regulatory & IP Compliance: Work with legal, regulatory, and Food Safety teams to ensure all licensed products meet food safety standards and respect intellectual property rights.
• Lead Culinary Application Strategy: Drive the development of innovative food concepts and applications to support Ingredient and Food Service Sales. Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to create recipes and prototypes tailored to specific customer needs, extending our ingredients and products into new occasions and channels. Coordinate and execute samples and live customer culinary demonstrations to enhance sales.
• Chef to Chef Collaboration: Support the business team with Chef-to-Chef collaboration and partnership with key customers to enhance understanding of customer innovation pipeline requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong foundation in culinary arts, food science, and product development, especially in translating culinary concepts into scalable CPG products.
• Demonstrated experience in the commercialization of new products in CPG.
• Familiarity with food manufacturing processes, commercial culinary equipment and appliances, ingredient functionality, regulatory requirements, and packaging considerations.
• Experience with PLM systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and culinary development tools (e.g., recipe management software).

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in Food Science. An additional degree or certification in Culinary Science (e.g., RCA) is a plus.
• 7+ years in culinary development and food product innovation, preferably within a CPG company or foodservice brand; experience with licensed products is highly desirable.
• Note that this role is on-site, due to significant laboratory, test-kitchen, and pilot-plant work.

Additional Benefits:

For this opportunity, you will also be eligible for benefits through Apex for the duration of the contract, including 401(k) and medical/health benefits options, a W-2 hourly rate, weekly pay, and direct deposit.

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at employeeservices@apexsystems.com or 844-463-6178.