Culinologist

Job Summary:

The Culinologist is a vital member of the Innovation team, blending culinary arts with food science to develop high-quality, innovative products for large-scale manufacturing. This role collaborates cross-functionally, leads bench-top development projects, and delivers impactful culinary presentations to both internal and external stakeholders.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

New Product Development:

• Create, modify, and optimize food product recipes for large-scale production, considering factors such as taste, texture, shelf life, and cost.
• Collaborate with chefs (supplier & customer), food scientists, and production teams to scale up recipes while ensuring consistency and quality.
• At the onset of projects, must be able to create culinary gold-standard recipes.
• Act as an extension of the sales team to provide consultative recommendations on foodservice operations, product optimization, comparative testing, and recipe development according to customer needs.

Ingredient Sourcing and Evaluation:

• Conduct extensive research on new and existing ingredients, evaluating their suitability for inclusion in food product formulations.
• Establish relationships with suppliers and participate in ingredient sourcing and selection processes.
• Partner with supplier culinary teams to stay abreast of culinary trends & fads.

Formulation and Recipe Optimization:

• Formulate and optimize recipes for existing and new products.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and product testing to ensure quality and consistency.
• Implement strategies to improve flavor & nutritional profiles and meet regulatory requirements.
• Manages the input and maintenance of BOMs in Sage.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Foster collaboration among various departments, including sales, marketing, supply chain, operations, and quality assurance.
• Work closely with sales and marketing teams to understand customer needs and market dynamics.
• Collaborate with external partners, including suppliers and research institutions, to drive innovation.

Management:

• Oversee multiple innovation projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budget.
• Implement project management best practices to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators related to innovation projects.

Collaboration & Leadership:

• Provide mentorship and guidance to peers & junior team members.
• Support Innovation staff by providing application development support, sensory testing, and flavor pairing insights.
• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

We’re looking for a passionate and experienced Culinologist with a blend of culinary arts and food science expertise. A bachelor’s degree in either field is required—ideally both—and CCS or CRC certification is preferred. The ideal candidate is a true foodie with a passion for flavor, innovation, and hands-on development.

Requirements:

• 5 years of experience in food product development and formulation
• Strong knowledge of culinary techniques, ingredient functionality, and food processing
• Proven ability to manage projects and lead cross-functional teams
• Experience with sensory evaluation and presenting technical information clearly
• Understanding of food safety regulations and industry standards
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 25%
• Full-time, onsite role (Monday–Friday)