R&D Chef, Culinary Innovation

Taylor Farms • Tolleson, AZ

7d • $70,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Taylor Farms is seeking a creative and pragmatic R&D Chef to develop innovative food products and support partners throughout the go-to-market process. The role requires strong food-industry knowledge, awareness of food trends, and technical expertise in cooking methods, ingredients, and cuisines. The position is based in Tolleson, Arizona, and reports to the Director of Sales. It includes managing the Commercialization Specialist as a direct report.

The R&D Chef contributes culinary expertise across all stages of product development, from concept ideation through manufacturing. The role involves managing multiple workstreams, maintaining project scope and timelines, documenting tests and analytical information, calculating ingredient costs, and leading tastings and plant trials. The chef also researches trends and innovations, shares findings with the Culinary team, supports sample production, and maintains an orderly, clean testing area according to Taylor Farms’ kitchen-operation SOPs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Business, Culinary, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3–6 years of CPG product-development experience 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.
• A refined palate and excellent understanding of different cooking methods and world cuisines.
• Demonstrated collaborative skills and ability to work well within a cross-functional team.
• Ability to align with the core values of a mission-driven company culture.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Self-motivation, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional 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

• Demonstrated 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 through culinary concept creation and product development.
• 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; share findings monthly in Culinary team meetings.
• Maintain project scope guard rails and share product formulas with the commercialization team for approval.
• Calculate ingredient costs to develop products within cost targets.
• Lead and participate in product tastings and plant trials.
• Assist with producing product samples for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage individual project timelines and deliverables and support wider project direction and deadlines.
• Keep the work area orderly, organized, and clean for testing in accordance with Taylor Farms’ kitchen-operation SOPs.
• Report weekly project work plans, timelines, and other tasks to the Director of Sales.
• Manage the Commercialization Specialist as a direct report.

Benefits

• Vacation and sick time.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, available the first of the month following 60 days.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Voluntary disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 401(k) match: 100% match up to 4%, available the first of the month following six days; immediately 100% vested.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level