Product Development, Research Chef

The Product Development, Research Chef is based at our Streamwood, Illinois Innovation Center and will be a part of our Innovation Team. The selected candidate will be applying their culinary skills to deliver focused, new recipe development and influence the quality and taste of new product development offerings for Retail and Food Service. The Research & Development Chef works closely with other Innovation team members to develop, research and prepare concepts, recipes, support presentations and provide value during product development, commercialization and customer interactions. The work also includes but is not limited to: concept development, bench prototype and gold standard development, specification management, costing and commercialization. In addition, the individual will work with the marketing team to shoot and post recipes on social media.

Responsibilities

• This individual will play a key role in the development of Fresh Express branded and Private Label Retail products.
• This individual will work with rest of the Innovation team, select members of manufacturing and supply chain network, and the sales and marketing team to support customer-focused initiatives
• Represent Fresh Express' commitment to culinary excellence with customers, trade shows and outside teams
• Manage the culinary aspects of project development that include conceptualization, design, creation and evaluation of new food concepts/products for targeted markets or customers and final product specifications. This includes creating ideation Stimuli (gold standard prototypes) for early idea screening with Brand Building Team/consumers to influence input to idea screeners, TURF analysis, focus groups, flavor sorts, and concept screeners
• Partnering with marketing to influence ideation on the pipeline, focusing on the three-year strategy
• Creating of on-trend flavor profiles relevant to the demographic/audience
• Continual consultation on culinary aspects of products (flavor development, texture, form, culinary authenticity, etc.) during Stage 3 bench, pilot plant, and factory development.
• Build key relationships with strategic suppliers and credible culinary associations/educational research institutions
• Build recipes and shoot for social media sites. (Camera and shooting material is available on site)

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Education: Requires culinary degree or certified chef credentials from the American Culinary Federation. Food Science training or education and/or dietary nutrition education is a plus but not required.
• 5 years chef experience including at least 1-3 years recipe development; at Corporate Headquarters working on foodservice national accounts and/or leading product development at food companies
• Experience in development of recipes from a flavor, cost and nutritional perspective
• Proven experience translating an idea to commercialization across a hotel chain and/or a food manufacturing company
• HACCP certified; member of at least one professional chef association; project and time management; problem solving; culinary creativity; leadership, influence, and collaboration a must
• Candidate must be team oriented and handle multiple projects in a fast paced, multi-disciplinary environment. The ideal candidate must have strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, accuracy, and adhering to deadlines
• Having a culinary blog and experience presenting via social media or TV is an added asset
• Food Styling experience a plus
• High level of computer proficiency, especially in MS Office required

Additional Notes

• Exposure to manufacturing processes and equipment for periodic extended workdays.
• Must be comfortable working in sub-40°F environments
• Use of tools, equipment, and machinery
• Walking, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time

Other Information

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed, as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $81,652.00 - $88,067.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 3 years

Shift:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Morning shift

Weekly day range:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Streamwood, IL 60107: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person