R&D CHEF

Can you cut it with the industry leaders in meat portioning and cooking? We’re always looking for sharp minds and sure hands to join our family business. We are committed to maintaining a safe, diverse, and welcoming workplace for all.

Summary

The R&D Chef supports the development and commercialization of innovative food products by combining culinary expertise with manufacturing and customer insights. This role partners closely with Culinary, Sales, R&D, FSQA, and Operations to bring concepts from ideation through production while ensuring alignment with customer expectations and operational capabilities.

This role includes approximately 25–30% travel to support customer engagements, product development, innovation sessions, and plant trials.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Product Development & Culinary Innovation

• Develop and refine new product concepts through research, experimentation, and culinary expertise
• Translate culinary ideas into commercially viable products that align with manufacturing processes, scalability, and operational capabilities
• Lead or support product development from concept through commercialization, including plant trials and scale-up
  
  

Customer Engagement & Sales Support

• Support customer-facing culinary sessions, including ideation, product reviews, and innovation presentations
• Support customer relationships by contributing to innovation and product development discussions, while partnering with Sales and Culinary leadership on overall customer strategy.
• Build and maintain chef-to-chef relationships with customers to support collaboration and product development
• Partner with Sales to deliver solutions that are on-trend, customer-relevant, and operationally feasible
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with R&D, FSQA, Operations, and Sales to ensure successful product execution and commercialization
• Facilitate clear communication across teams to align product expectations, timelines, and outcomes
• Support resolution of product or customer-related challenges as they arise
  
  

Quality, Testing & Execution

• Conduct product testing and evaluation to ensure quality standards for taste, texture, appearance, and consistency
• Support plant trials, product cuttings, and commercialization activities
• Ensure developed products meet both customer expectations and internal production standards
  
  

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of culinary techniques, flavor profiles, and food trends
• Understanding of food science principles, ingredient functionality, and product development processes
• Ability to translate culinary concepts into scalable, commercially viable products
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate across functions and with customers
• Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and execution
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a fast-paced environment
  
  

Education And/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts or a related field preferred
• 7 years of relevant experience in culinary, food manufacturing, or product development
• Protein manufacturing experience preferred
  
  

Company Benefits Include

• Medical / Dental / Vision
• Life
• STD/LTD
• Paid vacation
• Holidays
• 401(k)
  
  

Work Environment

Manufacturing facility or customers test kitchen, typical office setting. Must be willing to travel as needed.

We are people powered! If you want to build strong relationships, grow professionally and personally, and produce quality, you'll enjoy your career with us!