Chef, Development

Job Summary

As a Development Chef, you will be responsible for developing and implementing new food products and food service concepts in both manufacturing and retail environments, enabling Giant Eagle (all banners) to bring fresh, innovative and trendsetting products and concepts to our customers. Your efforts will allow for sales growth and profits while cultivating our Passion for Food Image – enhancing the overall food experience while shopping at Giant Eagle (and all banners).

Job Description

• Experience Required: 3 to 5 years with product development experience
• Education Desired: High school diploma or equivalent plus 18 months of additional training
• Certification or Licensing Required: Culinary Degree
• Lifting Requirement: Up to 25 pounds
• Travel Required: Regional - Overnight, 10 - 25%

Job Responsibilities

• Collaborate with various business channels to define new product parameters based on customer request and assist LOBs in defining opportunities to simplify retail operations labor.
• Maintain strategic accountability for all product development and research, including management and scheduling of test kitchen facilities.
• Source and negotiate with vendors the appropriate ingredients with concerns to cost, quality and logistics.
• Develop easy-to-use, quick reference cards for all programs in collaboration with operations specialists to ensure the ability to execute at both store level and at central manufacturing facility (FFM).
• Actively support a culture of safety which includes, but it not limited to, food safety, employee safety and customer safety.
• Manage and facilitate product and program presentations with key leadership, including preparation, scoring and follow-up communication.
• Work collaboratively with the central production facility team to design and implement new products in high volume facilities. Ensure all vested parties are apprised of project progression (food safety, procurement, merchandising, etc.). Be on-site for initial product runs to ensure first runs meet documented organoleptic measures.
• Adhere to federal, state and county or local regulations and existing laws regarding food safety. Work with food scientists on nutritional and ingredient statements while constantly championing nutritionally responsible foods.
• Maintain awareness of competitive activity and new trends in the business, communicating ideas for improvement.
• Maintain awareness of optimizing ingredient usage, production capabilities and production requirements.
• Participate in store openings and implementation of new food service concepts in both new and existing locations.
• Determine how to get the most utility across product lines. Understand the benefit of additional sales opportunities and secondary opportunities for selling products, reducing overall shrink risk.
• Develop and monitor metrics on program performance as it relates to customer acceptance, financial impact and Team Member ability to consistently execute plans.
• Assist in menu development for restaurant concepts, including on-site training and evaluation of operations.
• Review and evaluate retail execution of designed programs, including initial training, profitability review and on-site audits.

About Us

At Giant Eagle Inc., we’re more than just food, fuel and convenience. We’re one giant family of diverse and talented Team Members. Our people are the heart and soul of our company. It’s why we strive to create a nurturing environment that offers countless career opportunities to grow. Deep caring and solid family values are what makes us one of the top work places for jobs in the Greater Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus and Indianapolis Areas. From our Warehouses to our GetGo’s, our grocery Stores through our Corporate home office, we are working together to put food on shoppers' tables and smiles on their faces. We’re always searching for the best Team Members to welcome to our family. We invite you to join our Giant Eagle family. Come start a lasting career with us.