Culinary R&D and Production Chef

Wow Bao•Forest City, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Wow Bao is hiring a Culinary R&D and Production Chef for its food manufacturing plant in Forest City, North Carolina. This newly created, on-site role splits time between culinary research and development and production operations, collaborating with the VP of Culinary and manufacturing teams to develop and refine products while ensuring efficient, safe, and consistent production. The position is based at the facility five days a week. On the production side, the chef oversees daily operations and process improvements, approves product quality, works with Quality Assurance and Operations, maintains recipe and testing documentation, trains production employees, supports plant safety, and collaborates on lean manufacturing improvements. On the R&D side, the chef develops and tests recipes and products, leads product development and cost optimization, translates culinary concepts into scalable manufacturing processes, and manages trials, pilot runs, and scale-ups. The role requires at least five years of relevant experience and a bachelor's degree in food science or culinary arts, or equivalent professional training. Some travel is required. The work involves navigating the production facility, frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting, extended periods in cold environments, and exposure to kitchen conditions such as heat, noise, and sharp equipment. Protective equipment, including gloves and safety glasses, is used.

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.
Proven 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 food safety regulations, including USDA and FDA requirements, quality standards including HACCP and GMP, 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.
Some travel required.
Ability to navigate all areas of the production facility.
Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, and 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 culinary 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.
Work with the team to address product defects, implement corrective actions, and continuously improve product quality.
Partner with Operations to optimize production workflows and capacity planning.
Maintain accurate records of recipes, formulations, and testing results for compliance and reproducibility.
Provide culinary guidance and training to the production team for existing products and new product launches.
Promote a positive work culture and guide and motivate employees to follow goals and standards.
Ensure products are manufactured according to company specifications, quality standards, and food safety regulations, including USDA, FDA, HACCP, and GMP requirements.
Champion plant safety 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 R&D projects to design, develop, and test recipes and products aligned with Wow Bao's brand identity.
Lead new menu product development, cost optimization, and the 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.