Culinary R&D and Production Chef

Wow Bao•Forest City, NC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Wow Bao is hiring a Culinary R&D and Production Chef for its new food manufacturing plant in Forest City, North Carolina. This on-site role combines culinary research and development with production operations. The chef will work closely with the VP of Culinary to develop and refine menu items, and partner with manufacturing teams to support day-to-day production, efficiency, quality, and scalability. The role leads product development, cost optimization, recipe and formula creation, kitchen trials, pilot runs, and scale-up. It also oversees production processes and product consistency, collaborates with quality assurance and operations, trains production employees, maintains documentation, and supports food safety, plant safety, and continuous improvement. Some travel is required.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in culinary R&D, food manufacturing, corporate chef work, or large-scale food service operations.
Bachelor's degree in food science or culinary arts, or equivalent professional training.
Strong knowledge of food science, flavor development, and manufacturing processes.
Ability to work cross-functionally with operations, quality assurance, and supply chain teams.
Proven ability in plant operations, including budgeting, cost control, and resource management.
Passion for culinary innovation and ability to balance creativity with operational feasibility.
Strong understanding of USDA and FDA food safety regulations, HACCP and GMP quality standards, and manufacturing processes.
Ability to generate and implement creative culinary solutions.
Accuracy in recipes, processes, and documentation.
Clear and effective collaboration across teams.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Must be able to navigate all areas of the production facility.
Frequent standing, walking, and bending, and ability to lift up to 50 pounds at a time.
Ability to work in various environments, including cold environments for extended periods.
Ability to use protective equipment such as gloves and safety glasses.
Tolerance for kitchen conditions, including heat, noise, and sharp equipment.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily production operations and process improvements, approving product taste, texture, size, and shape to ensure quality and consistency.
Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure products meet food safety, regulatory, and company quality standards.
Address product defects with the team, implement corrective actions, and continuously improve product quality.
Work with Operations to optimize production workflow and capacity planning to improve efficiency and meet demand.
Maintain accurate records of recipes, formulations, and testing results for compliance and reproducibility.
Provide culinary guidance and training to production employees for existing products and new product launches.
Promote a positive work culture and help employees understand and follow goals and standards.
Ensure products are manufactured according to company specifications, quality standards, and USDA, FDA, HACCP, and GMP requirements.
Champion plant safety efforts and ensure safety policies and procedures are followed.
Collaborate with the Plant Manager on lean manufacturing improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
Collaborate with the Vice President of Culinary on the design, development, and testing of recipes and products aligned with the Wow Bao brand.
Lead new menu product development, cost optimization, and creation of formulas, recipes, and applications.
Translate culinary concepts into scalable manufacturing processes while maintaining flavor integrity.
Analyze costs and optimize recipes to meet budget and margin targets.
Manage kitchen trials, pilot runs, and product scale-up activities.
Monitor food industry trends and consumer preferences to inform the product pipeline.