Product Development Chef

About Blount Fine Foods

Blount Fine Foods is a family-owned enterprise with a legacy of delivering quality food for five generations. The company manufactures and markets premium fresh prepared foods, including restaurant-quality single-serve soups, mac & cheese, and entrées, available nationwide in grocery stores, hot bars, and restaurants. The product range includes specialty certifications such as organic, gluten-free, and low sodium options.

Role Summary

The Product Development Chef will collaborate closely with product development, sales, marketing, production, and regulatory teams to innovate and refine recipes and support new product launches. They will play a key role in culinary innovation and product standardization from concept to commercialization.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate with innovation, sales, marketing, production, regulatory, and food safety teams to streamline the development and renovation of products.
• Ensure proper scale-up processes are followed in collaboration with production and food safety personnel for new products and procedures.
• Support ingredient evaluation and approval efforts.
• Assist regulatory and product management teams with recipe formulation and nutritional labeling tasks.
• Work together with quality assurance, quality control, and production to develop product specifications for both in-process and finished goods.
• Engage in culinary ideation sessions with innovation, marketing, and regulatory groups to foster new culinary developments.
• Keep track of trending culinary and production methods and incorporate them as applicable.
• Prepare culinary center for customer demonstrations and product tastings.
• Manage logistics related to delivery of samples and support sales team during product cuttings and presentations, including shipping necessary products, equipment, and promotional materials.
• Participate in trade shows, promotional events, and demonstrations as needed.
• Up to 20% travel may be required to assist sales activities.
• Perform other tasks requiring similar expertise and work conditions.

Educational and Experience Requirements

• Degree in Culinary Arts from a four-year institution.
• Between three to five years of relevant experience and training or an equivalent combination of education and on-the-job experience.

Benefits Offered

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
• Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Educational assistance programs.
• Life insurance and short-term disability coverage.
• Employee discounts on company products at retail locations.
• Discretionary annual bonus program.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is from $60,000 to $70,000 per year.