Job Summary

Product Development Chef performs & oversees Research & Development activities for multiple projects, products and clients surrounding the creation, development and commercialization of poultry products. The Product Development Chef incorporates their knowledge of both culinary and product development fundamentals to create gold standard recipes, process capable formulations and products, and customer focused presentations in support of WSF overall business objectives.  This role partners both internally across company functions and externally with customers to develop first class poultry products including ensuring compliance with all regulations and legal requirements. 

Job Responsibilities

• Creation of gold standard recipes and translation of these into process capable formulations.
• Develop and execute customer and product focused business presentations.
• Participate in product development projects which may be larger in scale or higher complexity including development of benchtop prototype products, interaction and communication with internal or external customers, and the development and maintenance of organized documentation processes.
• Assist in the commercialization of products helping to ensure product and processes meet all internal guidelines and external regulatory and legal requirements.
• Partner with internal departments (Scheduling, Operations, QA, and R&D project managers to coordinate plant scale up activities (i.e. protocol pre and post meetings, data collection protocol, specification changes, etc.).
• Provide culinary support for internal events and meetings as needed. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrate knowledge of product development & culinary fundamentals as applicable to CPG, National Chain Accounts and Broadline Distribution business sectors. 
• Strong working knowledge of manufacturing, process focus and project management.
• Demonstrated experience including knowledge of policy adherence and ability to resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and compliance requirements related to food preparation, allergens and chemical interactions.
• Ability to effectively communicate with internal team members across company functions and external customers in a timely and professional manner.
• Self-starter who demonstrates strong initiative and sense of urgency, is comfortable with multi-tasking, able to manage multi-step processes, handle frequent interruptions in work flow and prioritize tasks properly in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to utilize project management computer software.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others, possessing tact and discretion, and demonstrate a high level of confidentiality in all matters.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Quality, or Culinary from an accredited institution.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in product development
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in product development or commercial kitchen facilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to typical risks of injury in an office environment. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Must adhere to the company’s Code of Conduct and all other policies.

Safety Requirements:

• Follows all departmental and company safety policies and programs.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work some non-standard shifts (holidays, weekends, extended) per business needs.
• Travel requirements expected: <20%.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Wayne-Sanderson does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.