Sr. Development Chef

Sr. Development ChefBase Salary: $120,000Annual Bonus: 15% (Objectives to be defined by Manager) Position SummaryThe Sr. Development Chef leads the development, testing, scale-up, and commercialization of innovative meal solutions and other Artisan Chef Manufacturing Co. capabilities. This role provides senior culinary and technical leadership, translating customer needs and market opportunities into high-quality, scalable, cost-effective food products while partnering cross-functionally to support business growth.Key ResponsibilitiesProduct Development & InnovationLead the development of new recipes and meal solutions aligned with customer needs, market insights, and company growth prioritiesOwn innovation projects from concept through commercialization, including timelines, technical milestones, and risk mitigationPlan and lead product trials, validations, plant scale-ups, and commercialization runs in manufacturing environmentsLead continuous improvement of existing products to enhance quality, consistency, cost, yield, and performanceTechnical ExecutionLead advanced product testing, sensory evaluation, analysis, and troubleshooting across development and production stagesEnsure accurate, complete documentation of formulations, processes, specifications, trial results, and commercialization learningsResolve complex formulation, processing, ingredient, and production challenges using strong technical judgmentUse analytical tools, data, and structured experimentation to guide product decisions and validate solutionsDevelop products against defined cost targets while supporting customer pricing expectations and margin requirementsQuality & CompliancePartner proactively with Quality Assurance to ensure products meet food safety, regulatory, labeling, and customer standardsLead technical input for ingredient approvals, supplier evaluations, and new item setup with Purchasing and QAMaintain and reinforce compliance with food manufacturing regulations, internal standards, and commercialization proceduresCollaboration & Cross-Functional SupportServe as a senior technical partner to Marketing, Sales, Operations, Procurement, and Quality to deliver customer-focused solutionsGuide and support R&D team members across a broader portfolio of development projects, including bread, stuffed breads, pizza, sauces, and pastaLead customer presentations, product demonstrations, innovation reviews, and plant trials as neededBuild and advance a pipeline of innovative, manufacturable products that support company growthQualifications & Skills8-12+ years of progressive experience in food product development, culinary innovation, or technical services within food manufacturingAdvanced knowledge of food formulation, processing, scale-up, commercialization, and manufacturing constraintsDemonstrated experience leading stage-gate or structured product development processes from concept to launchProficiency in Microsoft Office, product documentation systems, and development tools used to manage formulas, costs, and specificationsStrong understanding of food safety, quality systems, regulatory requirements, and customer approval processesCore CompetenciesAdvanced technical problem-solving, analytical thinking, and sound decision-making skillsAbility to prioritize and lead multiple complex projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environmentStrong communication and influencing skills across all organizational levels, with customers, and with external partnersHigh level of ownership, follow-through, organization, and attention to detailAbility to lead through ambiguity, align stakeholders, and drive projects to measurable resultsAdditional RequirementsExperience collaborating with external partners, including vendors, suppliers, co-manufacturers, or research institutions, is preferredBudget awareness and ability to manage development work within cost, timeline, and resource expectationsAbility to work occasional weekends as business needs requireWillingness to travel up to 25-35%