The Director, Field Testing & Product Management bridges the gap between culinary innovation and operational execution — ensuring that every new menu item, process, or product we bring to life is tested, optimized, and scalable across all Tatte cafés. This role owns the field testing lifecycle and innovation pipeline, ensuring consistent test design, cross-functional alignment, and actionable learning loops that drive brand growth. Reporting to the SVP, Culinary & Innovation, the Director partners closely with Culinary, Category Management, Operations Services, Training, and Café Leadership to deliver operationally viable, guest-loved innovations at scale.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Field Testing Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end testing process for all new menu items, programs, and initiatives — from concept to national rollout.
• Design test frameworks, success criteria, and evaluation tools that ensure structured and reliable insights.
• Manage multiple concurrent field tests, balancing innovation velocity with operational capacity.
• Partner with café leaders and RVPs to identify test sites, train test cafés, and ensure consistency in execution.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work side by side with Culinary and Category Management to validate recipes, prep flow, and operational feasibility.
• Partner with Operations and Training to design café-ready SOPs, prep guides, and training modules.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Equipment, and Facilities teams to ensure test readiness and post-test deployment success.
• Serve as the “hub” connecting innovation, field execution, and feedback loops between café teams and the Support Center.

Insights & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze test data, café feedback, and guest metrics to generate insights that inform go/no-go decisions.
• Prepare and present test reports and recommendations to the Culinary, Ops, and Executive Leadership teams.
• Build and maintain Tatte’s field testing playbook, templates, and repository of learnings to ensure consistency and scalability.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build and lead a small but highly effective team (e.g., Manager/Specialist, Field Testing Operations).
• Develop and coach team members to manage test logistics, data collection, and café coordination.
• Model Tatte’s leadership values, fostering collaboration, clarity, and accountability across all partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience & Skills

• 8–10 years of progressive experience in food innovation, product development, program management or culinary commercialization within restaurants, foodservice, or food CPG; multi-category experience (savory, bakery, beverage) strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to translate culinary creativity into scalable operational solutions.
• Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills; able to synthesize data into insights that drive action.
• Hands-on field experience, with comfort spending significant time in cafés during test periods.
• Proficiency in project management and collaboration tools (Smartsheet, Asana, Miro, Microsoft/Google Suite).
• Ability to travel up to 50% as required to support field tests and café launches.
• Analytical and data-driven, with experience in dashboards, modeling, and P&L impact.
• Excellent collaboration and influencing skills across functions and external partners.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Operational Excellence – You know how to design processes that work in real cafés, balancing quality, speed, and ease.
• Cross-Functional Leadership – You unite Culinary, Ops, and Training through collaboration and clarity.
• Analytical Thinking – You leverage data and insights to guide decisions without losing sight of the guest experience.
• Innovation Mindset – You embrace experimentation and iteration while keeping brand integrity at the center.
• Adaptability & Drive – You thrive in a dynamic, high-growth environment with an entrepreneurial spirit.

OUR PERKS AND BENEFITS

• Competitive pay (ranging from $105k-$125k/year, commensurate with experience; bonus-eligible up to 10%)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401K Plan (with vesting match)
• Paid time off
• Free EAP services
• Free beverages and generous meal discount

Please note that Tatte is an E-Verify Employer.