Senior Director Innovation and Product R&D

WHY CRACKER BARREL

What is it like to work at Cracker Barrel? It feels like… 

• Care beyond the table – At Cracker Barrel, we are a team. From the moment you join Cracker Barrel, you should feel cared for, confident in your role and like you belong. 

• Opportunities to fill your cup – Here at Cracker Barrel, we believe in providing opportunities for growth and development and setting you up for success within our walls and beyond. From day one, you’ll have hands-on, role-specific training and the ability to engage in peer-to-peer learning.   

• A warm welcome – For five decades, we have focused on creating a Pleasing People® brand that inspires a “home away from home” feeling for each other and our guests. We work hard to inspire a sense of belonging that continually motivates our teams – from the newest to the most tenured employees. 

Serving up the care – and career – you crave. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Senior Director of Innovation and Product R&D will play a critical leadership role in shaping the future of our menu and product offerings for Cracker Barrel. This role is responsible for setting the long-term innovation vision, leading the development of new culinary platforms, and guiding products through every stage of the innovation lifecycle, from concept to commercialization.

This individual will lead a cross-functional team of culinary chefs, food scientists, and product developers. They will collaborate closely with key stakeholders across Menu Strategy, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Operations to bring to life products that are crave-worthy, operationally executable, and brand-defining. This leader will not only be responsible for menu innovation but also for embedding a guest-centric innovation mindset across the business.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a passion for food and deep experience in foodservice innovation. They bring a proven track record of delivering new products that drive guest satisfaction, traffic, and incremental sales, while also being able to navigate the complexity of a large-scale restaurant operation.

The Senior Director will be a thought partner to the VP of Menu Strategy & Innovation and the broader Executive Leadership Team and will help position Cracker Barrel for the next era of growth, rooted in innovation, purpose, and authenticity.

 

• Innovation Strategy & Vision
  • Define and lead the long-term product innovation roadmap in alignment with enterprise and culinary strategies.
  • Translate brand purpose and guest insights into breakthrough product platforms that drive crave, value, and uniqueness.
  • Partner cross-functionally to identify category gaps and white space opportunities across dayparts and guest occasions
• Guest Centered Product Development
  • Collaborate closely with Consumer Insights, Marketing, and Strategy to translate emerging trends, behaviors, and needs into scalable product solutions.
  • Act as a champion for guest experience, using data and qualitative insights to guide innovation decisions.
• Product Development & Commercialization
  • Oversee the culinary development, testing, and operational integration of new menu items.
  • Ensure products meet culinary excellence standards, cost goals, and operational feasibility
  • Lead cross-functional teams through the stage-gate process, from concept validation through in-market test and national launch.
  • Synthesize strategy, consumer insights and business targets into actionable product development plan and profitable recommendations.
  • Manage implementation of product development plan; ensure timelines are met and deliverables are achieved in a timely manner.
  • Manages food and product development projects in cooperation with operations, quality assurance and Supply Chain.
  • Manage relationship with external vendor partners to inform future development possibilities.
  • Conducts ongoing product improvement; identifies, improves and tests products to elevate the taste of our food and improve the guest experience.

 

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Experience and Education:

• MBA or master’s degree in relevant field preferred; Culinary Degree, Food Science or equivalent required.
• 10+ years’ Culinary Innovation management experience in a multi-unit restaurant environment; strong background and experience in the development and creation of successful food and menu items for multi-unit restaurant company.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong culinary skills and experience, and passion for food innovation.
• Broad knowledge of Quality Assurance practices, regulations, etc.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong leadership and managerial skills with demonstrated ability to lead a diverse team
• Collaborative with excellent organizational skills and able to inspire internal teams and external partners.

 

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU   

• Compensation and Bonuses: Competitive Annual Salary | Annual Bonus Opportunities 

• Care for Your Well-being: Medical, Rx, Dental and Vision Benefits on Day 1| Life Insurance and Disability Coverage | Paid Vacation/Employee Assistance Program 

• Growth and Development:  Business Resource Groups | Tuition Reimbursement | Professional Development 

• Invest in Your Future: 401k Plan with Company Matching Contributions at 90 days | Employee Stock Purchase Program  

• Even More to Look Forward to: 35% Discount on Cracker Barrel Food and Retail items  

 

ABOUT US 

 

For more than 50 years, we have committed to serving up a sense of warmth and hospitality across hundreds of stores across the country. We believe in providing opportunities for growth and development for our 70,000 plus team members and take pride and comfort in that enduring Cracker Barrel hospitality. It’s something our employees and guests can count on now and into the future as we welcome new employees, guests, and experiences. Just like uncovering a delightful find in our stores, there is potential for discovery and fulfillment in every job at Cracker Barrel. 

 

PURSUE THE CAREER YOU CRAVE—APPLY NOW 

 

Cracker Barrel is an equal opportunity employer. 

 

Qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or any other class expressly protected by law.