Product Innovation & Store Manager

About Us

Fuwa Fuwa is more than a café; it's a destination for freshly made delights. From our signature Japanese-style pancakes to our creamy Basque cheesecakes and artisan drinks, we prioritize high-quality ingredients and a cozy atmosphere. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a unique leader who bridges the gap between culinary creativity and operational excellence.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dual-talented Product Innovation Development + Store Manager to join our team in Vaughan. This is a hybrid leadership role designed for someone who is as comfortable in the test kitchen as they are leading a team on the floor.

You will be responsible for the "soul" of our menu—designing, testing, and plating new creations—while ensuring the "heart" of the business—the store itself—runs flawlessly.

What You’ll DoProduct Innovation & R&D

• Menu Creation: Lead the end-to-end development of new food and beverage items, focusing on unique flavor profiles that align with the Fuwa Fuwa brand.
• Testing & Tasting: Conduct rigorous sensory evaluations and tasting sessions to refine recipes before they launch.
• Recipe & Plating Design: Design scalable recipes and craft visually stunning plating standards that provide a "wow" factor for our guests.
• SOP Development: Create clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure every dish and drink is executed perfectly by the kitchen and barista teams.

Store Management

• Daily Operations: Oversee the day-to-day management of the Vaughan/Toronto location, ensuring peak performance in service and cleanliness.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and mentor staff, specifically focusing on teaching them the techniques required for your newly developed menu items.
• Quality Control: Act as the final gatekeeper for product quality, ensuring every plate leaving the kitchen meets your design standards.
• Business Growth: Monitor inventory, manage labor costs, and drive sales through innovative product launches and local community engagement.

What You Bring

• Experience: 3+ years in culinary R&D, product development, or hospitality management. Experience in a fast-paced café or premium restaurant setting is preferred.
• Creative Flair: A strong eye for aesthetics and plating. You understand that people eat with their eyes first.
• Technical Skill: Deep knowledge of food chemistry, flavor balancing, and beverage preparation.
• Leadership Mindset: You are a proactive problem-solver who can manage a team while keeping a close eye on creative details.
• Adaptability: Comfortable splitting your time between administrative management and hands-on kitchen/bar development.

Why Join Fuwa Fuwa?

• Creative Freedom: You will have a direct hand in shaping what our customers eat and drink every day.
• Impact: Work closely with executive leadership to see your ideas move from the test kitchen to the tables of a rapidly growing brand.
• Culture: Be part of a team that values innovation, hospitality, and the joy of creating beautiful dining experiences.