At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCKS philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness, and Service). We are committed to moving people forward and encourage everyone to apply their passion at CPK. So go ahead be bold, be epic, be YOU.
WHO IS CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
We are passionate individuals committed to inspiring others by bringing California creativity to every meal. Founded in 1985, former federal prosecutors Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax combined their fervor for food and fresh ingredients to create innovative, hearth-baked pizzas such as The Original BBQ Chicken, California Club and Thai Chicken that are created in a lively open kitchen. The concept gave California a place in the pizza revolution alongside Chicago and New York. CPK has since become the place for taste makers, rule breakers and earth shakers who conquer challenges by daring to work on the edge and thinking outside the box.
Summary of Position
The Marketing Manager, Menu and POP (or The Marketing Manager, Menu Innovation), leads the planning, development, and execution of food & beverage launches and oversees our printed menus and POP (point-of-purchase), bringing CPK's menu campaigns, limited-time offers (LTOs), and broader food & beverage offerings to life This role is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive go to market plans that engage customer at multiple touchpoints and drive business results. In collaboration with cross-functional teams, this position ensures the seamless execution of menu rollouts across all channels, including in-restaurant and digital media.
Overall Responsibilities and Duties
Culinary Insights, Strategy, and Planning
- Research food trends, customer behavior, and menu insights to drive innovation strategies and planning in menu marketing and in-restaurant activations.
- Leverage ongoing consumer data and sales performance metrics to optimize menu campaign effectiveness and refine menu positioning and portfolio
- Work closely with VP of Culinary Innovation and SVP of Brand Marketing to recommend and plan menu strategies and menu innovation calendar and menu related marketing campaigns
Menu Campaign Execution & Activations
- Lead the planning and execution of all national menu rollouts, LTOs, and in-restaurant marketing campaigns, ensuring alignment across multiple channels owned and earned.
- Oversee brand compliance for menu marketing and in-restaurant activations, ensuring adherence to legal, regulatory, and brand guidelines.
- Manage the development and execution of POP (Point-of-Purchase) materials, ensuring flawless quality and on-time delivery.
Creative & Content Development
- Collaborate with creative teams, agencies, and cross-functional partners to develop visually compelling and strategically aligned menu marketing materials.
- Provide creative direction on photography, food styling, and plateware to maintain visual and culinary integrity across all customer touchpoints including loyalty, website, and social.
- Issue creative briefs for in-house and external assets, ensuring all materials align with campaign objectives and brand standards.
- Manage the end-to-end creative process, from concept development to final execution, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration for Menu Rollouts
- Communicate project status, timelines, and updates to cross-functional teams and leadership.
- Coordinate with marketing, operations, culinary, and digital teams to ensure smooth execution of menu marketing initiatives.
- Manage proofing processes, production workflows, and approvals, ensuring error-free execution of all promotional materials.
Asset Management & Vendor Relations
- Maintain the Digital Asset Management (DAM) system, ensuring up-to-date photography and marketing materials for internal teams and franchise partners.
- Oversee inventory and ordering of marketing and promotional materials through third-party printing partners.
- Manage vendor relationships, ensuring top-quality execution across all marketing activations.
- Handle budget management and invoice processing for promotional and menu materials.
Performance Tracking & Optimization
- Track and analyze the effectiveness of menu activations, using key metrics to refine future campaigns.
- Identify opportunities to improve menu marketing strategies and enhance customer engagement.
Education, Training, and Work Experience
- 5-7 years of Marketing experience; some restaurant industry experience preferred.
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Ability to work independently and meet aggressive deadlines.
- Strong organizational skills, teamwork, and project management skills along with excellent oral and written communication ability.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Excellent time management skills. Be able to organize own time, schedule tasks for completion and deliver work to that schedule.
- Work independently or in a team environment. Be a team player and contribute to the success of the development team.
- Familiar with latest development trends and industry best practices.
- Self-motivated. Take ownership of the tasks at hand.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to computer terminals. The noise level and temperature are moderate. The employee has the ability to sit, stand and/or walk for up to 10 hours a day. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, bend or kneel, lift up to 40 lbs. and perform other diverse physical tasks as needed. The vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
NOTE: This job description is not a contract of employment. The job duties and requirements may be changed at any time, with or without notice, at the discretion of the employer to ensure the continued success of the business.
The current salary pay range for this role is: $80K - $95K.
Various benefits are available for this position, including 401K, health, dental, vision, and disability insurance through CPK's designated providers. CPK regularly reviews its benefits offerings and may change benefits and providers from time to time.
- California Pizza Kitchen is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, or any other legally protected classification. Everyone has a seat at our table.