R&D Chef, Culinary Innovation

Taylor Farms•Tolleson, AZ

15h

About The Position

Taylor Farms is seeking an R&D Chef for its team in Tolleson, Arizona. The role combines culinary creativity with practical product development, supporting partners seeking impactful food innovation. The R&D Chef brings technical expertise in cooking methods, ingredients, and cuisines and contributes throughout product development, from ideation through manufacturing. The position reports to the Director of Sales and manages a Commercialization Specialist.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Business, Culinary, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
3–6 years of experience in CPG product development after completing a culinary or related degree or certificate program, or a combination of education and relevant culinary product development experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of and adherence to stringent food safety standards.
Refined palate and excellent understanding of different cooking methods and world cuisines.
Collaborative skills and ability to work well within a cross-functional team and align with the company’s core values.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder-management skills.
Self-motivated, with meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational and project-management skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while balancing changing priorities.
Solid analytical skills and ability to develop creative solutions to problems.
Ability to work independently on assigned work and projects with general supervision.
Proficiency with computer systems and software, such as MS 365, Teams, SharePoint, and AX.

Nice To Haves

High level of creativity and personal initiative.
Knowledge of how basic functional ingredients and processes affect product texture.

Responsibilities

Manage several workstreams simultaneously.
Provide culinary expertise, including concept creation and product development, on assigned projects.
Participate in all stages of product development, from ideation to manufacturing.
Record tests and relevant analytical information.
Monitor and research food trends, manufacturing processes, and culinary innovations, and share findings monthly at Culinary team meetings.
Maintain project scope guard rails and ensure product formulas are shared with and approved by the commercialization team.
Calculate ingredient costs so products meet cost targets.
Lead and participate in product tastings and plant trials for new products.
Assist in producing product samples for internal and external stakeholders.
Manage individual project timelines and deliverables and support broader project direction and deadlines.
Keep the work area orderly, organized, and clean for testing, following Taylor Farms’ kitchen-operation SOP.
Report weekly project work plans, timelines, and other tasks to the Director of Sales.
Manage the Commercialization Specialist, a direct report.