Product Development & Culinary Innovation Chef - SE Portland
About The Position
As a Product Development & Culinary Innovation Chef, you will lead recipe development and product innovation across our production kitchens, catering operations, and retail stores. This role bridges culinary creativity with technical know-how, ensuring recipes are not only delicious and on-brand, but also scalable, cost-effective, compliant, and production-ready. You’ll combine a chef’s passion for food with a product developer’s discipline to support menu growth, enhance customer satisfaction, and strengthen Elephants’ reputation for culinary excellence. This position is a great fit for someone who thrives on creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement—balancing artistry with science to deliver high-quality food at scale. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator who can balance hospitality with accountability in a fast-paced environment.
Requirements
- Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience.
- Proven experience as a Corporate Chef, R&D Chef, or Product Development Chef in restaurants, catering, or consumer packaged goods.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, preservation, allergen management, and regulatory compliance.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); recipe management or ERP systems preferred.
- Ability to calculate recipe scaling, yields, percentages, and cost modeling.
- Advanced problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally.
- ServSafe or Oregon Food Handler’s Certification required; HACCP certification preferred.
- Advanced proficiency in English, both verbal and written.
- Current Oregon Food Handler's card
- Reliable transportation is required.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual ability (Spanish or other language) to support diverse staff.
- HACCP certification preferred.
- recipe management or ERP systems preferred.
Responsibilities
- Developing and testing new recipes that align with brand standards and customer preferences.
- Translating culinary ideas into scalable, production-ready recipes using batch-sizing tools and food science principles.
- Collaborating with business leaders on seasonal menu planning and new product launches.
- Leading and supporting plated catering event food preparation when needed.
- Ensuring compliance with FDA, USDA, and local health regulations; maintaining allergen and labeling protocols.
- Training production staff on recipes, processes, and food safety standards.
- Optimizing production processes for efficiency, yield, and waste reduction.
- Conducting product reviews, taste panels, and audits to ensure quality standards are met.
- Partnering with procurement, operations, finance, and marketing to align recipe development with company goals.
Benefits
- Employer contributed vacation and sick time
- Kaiser Medical coverage, with alternative care as a bonus (acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, etc.)
- Mental Health Services
- Dental, FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts), and 401(k) with 4% company match
- Training that will fast-track your culinary/hospitality career
- Free counseling and financial services
- Opportunities for advancement
- Discounts on our delicious made-from-scratch food
- Pet insurance
- Chance to win employee raffles
- Discounts at Sketchers, Shoes for Crews, Verizon, Sprint, select B Corporations, and many more
- A commitment to inclusion, diversity, community involvement, employee well-being, and environmental protection
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
