Culinary Operations Manager, Robotics

About The Opportunity We’re looking for a Culinary Operations Manager, Robotics, who will manage the daily operations for Wonder’s prototype Infinite Kitchen Center (Boston) and serve as the vital link between our engineering innovators and field operators. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Culinary Platform Strategy, you will maintain a world-class testing and demo environment, act as the Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) on our robotic systems (specifically our Infinite Sauce and Infinite Mise machines), and design the SOPs that turn automation into scalable restaurant realities. You are a rare hybrid: part organized restaurant GM/Chef, part technical systems thinker. You love the fast pace of food service but are fascinated by automation. You know how to command a kitchen line during a rush, but you can also sit down with a mechanical engineer or software developer and articulately explain why a button placement or physical workflow won't work for a line cook. This role requires a minimum of 4 days a week in the office, with additional days as needed based on project demands. The Impact You Will Make Prototype Center & Demo Management Daily Lab Operations: Own the day-to-day operations of the Infinite Kitchen Center (Boston), including station setup, organization, and equipment readiness. Supply Chain & Prep: Manage ingredient ordering, inventory, and culinary prep required for high-profile demos, engineering tests, and operator training sessions. Culture & Leadership: Lead daily stand-up meetings (pre-shift huddles) to align engineers, culinary tech teams, and visitors on the day's objectives. Tech-to-Ops Translation & SOP Development The Operational Bridge: Translate complex engineering functionalities into user-friendly, "human-proof" Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the field. System Integration: Deeply understand current Wonder restaurant operations to successfully map out how new robotic tech will integrate into existing workflows without disrupting throughput. Software & KDS Coordination: Partner with the KDS (Kitchen Display System) and software teams to map out recipe execution routing and digital workflow logic based on the new hardware. Data & Analytics: Utilize Excel to track operational metrics, ingredient yields, throughput data, and testing feedback loops. Engineering Support & Subject Matter Expertise System SME: Become the ultimate power-user and internal expert on Infinite Kitchen robotic systems; initially focused on Infinite Sauce and Infinite Mise. Testing Support: Actively participate in and support the engineering testing process, providing real-time operational feedback on UI/UX, ergonomics, and reliability. Rollout Support: Assist in the deployment phase, ensuring field teams are trained and equipped to adopt the new technology seamlessly. What You Bring to the Table 7+ years of restaurant and/or kitchen management experience. Practical knowledge of Fast Casual and Quick Service Restaurant operations, with an eye toward speed and high-volume consistency. Experience scaling a multi‑unit operation, as a leader or training manager. Training program development experience, focus on positional training, new store openings and hourly team member job aids. Familiar with the culinary R&D process, with experience leading menu roll outs and new product launches. Strong understanding of high-volume kitchen systems, line flows, and food safety. Solid culinary skills and familiarity with a wide variety of standard kitchen equipment. Comfortable working alongside engineers; ability to quickly master and troubleshoot tech/software interfaces. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; confident leading cross-functional huddles and writing technical SOPs. Advanced proficiency in Excel (data tracking, inventory modeling, matrix building). Massachusetts: $128,000 - $135,000 per year. Benefits We offer a competitive salary package including equity and 401K. Additionally, we provide multiple medical, dental, and vision plans to meet all of our employees' needs as well as many benefits and perks that are not listed. A Final Note At Wonder, we build the best teams by hiring with an objective lens — evaluating people for their potential while championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, marital status, disability, or any other protected class. As part of our commitment to fair and compliant hiring practices, Wonder participates in the federal government's E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If you need an accommodation during the interview process, please let your recruiter know. We look forward to hearing from you! We'll contact you via email or text to schedule interviews and share information about your candidacy. #J-18808-Ljbffr Wonder