Joining King’s Hawaiian makes you part of our `ohana (family). We are a family-owned business for over seventy years, respecting our roots while thinking about our future as we continue to grow and care for our customers and the communities we serve. Our `ohana members build an environment of inclusivity as they freely collaborate, pursue learning through curiosity, and explore innovation as critical thinkers. Beyond that, we are also passionate about supporting the long-term health and well-being of our employees and their families. If you’re excited to rise with our team, come and join our `ohana!

At KING’S HAWAIIAN® we create unique and irresistible foods that people love beyond reason. We are not in the business of copying mainstream products or pursuing short-term trends. Our goal is to create new, long-term value to market with consumer-led innovation ideas. This role will report to the Senior Innovation Pastry Chef and be a part of a multi-disciplinary Innovation & Commercialization team with a start-up type culture. With a team of Food Scientists, this individual will partner with experienced chefs to create new products and recipes for commercialization.

Who Are You?

The Innovation Associate Pastry Chef is an idealist, researcher, designer, and builder. Your imagination and problem solving combines new ingredients and flavors, alters methods and processes, and crafts new products that have never been tasted before. Your creations tell stories and create moments of irresistibility for people.

The following 5 characteristics describe you perfectly:

Curious – you break boundaries and do not settle for status quo. You have an instinctive desire to always dig deeper. Your curiosity leads you to think differently and try new things.

Persistent – you do not settle for mediocracy and have an unmatched determination to solve your complex problems. You always strive for perfection and cannot rest until you’ve carried out your mission.

Courageous – you like to jump and take risks! You recognize that the future cannot be shaped without taking leaps forward. You trust your beliefs and see every step as an opportunity.

Self-starter – the world of innovation and ambiguity does not scare you. You know how to self-manage. You are a leader and initiator. You do not wait around for someone else to step up.

Foodie – you LOVE food. Food is one of your passions in life. You love to try new foods, experience cuisines from different cultures, and gather with others to break bread.

The Innovation Associate Pastry Chef position is part of a collaborative team responsible for creating/finding/working with 3rd parties to produce irresistible products with Aloha. The ideal person for this position will be a skilled chef, working closely with the Innovation Chefs to create new bakery products for King’s Hawaiian. Must be willing to break boundaries, do things differently, and explore new concepts. This individual will work collaboratively with our commissary, suppliers, co-packers, and chefs to scout out and develop new foods with incredible taste and a uniquely Hawaiian WOW factor! Most importantly, this person will be a foodie, who loves to try new foods from different cultures, and will refuse to settle for mediocrity. This position will report to the current Innovation Pastry Chef and have close working relationships with other members of the Innovation and Food Science teams.

Job Requirements:

• Work with the Innovation Chefs to prototype new bread & bakery items for commercialization into grocery stores nationwide.

• Support special projects to improve new and existing products within our Ecommerce and Restaurant & Bakery Retail Operations.

• Understand outputs from Consumer Insights and Marketing team members regarding consumer needs and brand equities to inform new product development.

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the Food Science and Commissary teams who are involved in the development and production of early-stage new product testing.

• Adherence to standard operation procedures and maintenance of the King’s Hawaiian Innovation Test Kitchen.

• Eager to study under the Innovation Pastry Chefs and develop as a skilled innovation baker.

Skills/Experience:

• Culinary Arts Degree with 3+ years related food service, manufacturing and/or volume cooking experience.

• Have the ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment - skilled at planning, organizing, prioritizing, and executing projects and activities.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills.

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.

• Exposure to a range of bread & bakery doughs and processes.

Due to the nature of innovation work, this role must be onsite 5 days a week.

The compensation range for this role is $75,000 to $115,000 with a 5% bonus target.

King's Hawaiian is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our ohana.

King's Hawaiian is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our ohana.