Culinary Development Chef | Packaged goods - Gecko Hospitality

Swedesboro, NJ 08085

About the Job

Job Title: Culinary Development Chef
Location: Swedesboro, NJ

Job Overview:
We are seeking an innovative and detail-oriented Culinary Development Chef with a strong background in packaged goods to join our team. This role involves creating and refining culinary concepts for retail and foodservice products, working closely with cross-functional teams to bring innovative, high-quality items to market. The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver with a passion for culinary innovation and experience in the development and production of packaged food products.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Development:

Develop new culinary concepts and recipes for packaged goods, ensuring alignment with market trends and customer preferences.
Collaborate with R&D teams to test and refine recipes, ensuring scalability for mass production.
Innovate within the constraints of production capabilities, shelf stability, and packaging requirements.

2. Culinary Expertise:

Conduct tastings and sensory evaluations to maintain product quality and consistency.
Research and implement new techniques, ingredients, and processes to enhance product offerings.
Stay updated on industry trends, consumer insights, and competitive analysis to inspire new ideas.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Partner with sales, marketing, and operations teams to ensure products meet branding and operational requirements.
Assist in the development of product presentations, showcasing culinary expertise to clients and stakeholders.
Work closely with suppliers to source ingredients that meet quality and cost specifications.

4. Quality Assurance:

Ensure products meet regulatory standards and company quality guidelines.
Collaborate with QA teams to develop documentation and processes for food safety and compliance.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment in line with health and safety standards.

5. Client and Customer Engagement:

Participate in customer presentations, demonstrating culinary applications of products.
Provide hands-on culinary support during product launches and promotions.
Act as a brand ambassador for the culinary program, showcasing expertise and passion for food innovation.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in culinary product development, with a focus on packaged goods.
Strong understanding of food science, manufacturing processes, and packaging requirements.
Proven ability to balance creativity with practical production considerations.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.

Preferred Skills:

Experience in retail and/or foodservice product development.
Familiarity with plant-based and health-conscious product trends.
Strong project management skills and the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

This position offers a unique opportunity to combine culinary creativity with the strategic development of products that make a difference in the market. If you’re a driven culinary professional with a knack for innovation and a passion for packaged goods, we’d love to hear from you!

Source : Gecko Hospitality