FUTURE DIFFERENCE MAKERS WANTED!

CuliNEX is dedicated to continuous learning and exceeding our clients’ business goals by developing delicious, clean label foods that create a better planet, healthier people and happier communities. We continue to grow. And while we continue to add like-minded people and passionate food professionals to our team, we never forget our roots. We’re a group of friends who think of our place more as a boutique than your typical office.

Are you Hungry, Humble and Smart? If so, then CuliNEX may be the place for you! These are the core requirements for every employee at our company. If you are looking to accelerate your career in culinary innovation and food product development, let’s start the conversation today.

About you

We are seeking a dynamic and friendly teammate who is extremely well organized, loves a good challenge and good people to work with. The ideal candidate will have strong people skills and a willingness to jump in and help in multiple areas without losing sight of priorities. An ability to deliver on tight deadlines while ensuring day to day tasks are managed appropriately. A sense of humor combined with a sense of pride in your work and a commitment to doing your part to enable the team to succeed. Tech savvy, you can work well with Microsoft's full suite of products including Office 365, Teams and SharePoint as well as a wide variety of other software products.

Our Company

Since 2005, CuliNEX has been the industry’s premier consulting firm providing product development & strategic business services focused on clean label food products. While maintaining our commitment to continuous learning, we exceed our client’s business goals by developing delicious, clean label foods that create a better planet, healthier people and happier communities.

What We Do

We’re passionate about creating great tasting, wholesome food. We specialize in assisting brand owners, food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and retailers with achieving their growth goals by bringing successful products to market. Our expertise covers a wide variety of food product categories including frozen, refrigerated and shelf stable products, seafood, bakery goods, soups and sauces, dairy products, grains, produce and snack items.

Our business is growing, and we have an immediate need for a Product Developer/Culinologist to join our team. We prefer a Culinary + Food Science, Culinology, or Food Science program graduate.

Job Summary and Mission

This job contributes to CuliNex’ success by ensuring the successful execution and implementation of consulting services contracts to meet project deliverables and client expectations, monitoring and balancing labor utilization, and the execution of project timelines and deliverables. The Developer must exhibit CuliNex Core Competencies and support to its Core Values.

This position is a hybrid role with benchwork to be completed while on premises in our Tukwila test kitchen, other work may be completed remotely as needed.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

Responsible for carrying out project tasks under the direction of the PM and DL. They execute ingredient sourcing, benchtop development, and maintaining project bin organization.

Essential job functions include but are not limited to the following:

• Communication
  • Communicate regularly with the PM and DL regarding development status.
• Formulation
  • Write starting formulations and make formula revisions as directed by the DL.
  • Execute formulas on the bench as directed by the DL.
  • Update formulas with well-documented notes, next steps, and goals.
• Kitchen Management
  • Schedule and book bench time, equipment, resources when necessary.
  • Ensure kitchen cleanliness.
  • Sensory Evaluation
  • Set up and tear down sensory and tasting sessions.
  • Perform analytical tests and measurements, as directed by the DL.
• Ingredient Procurement
  • Identify and communicate with appropriate suppliers based on project/product parameters.
  • Coordinate sample orders to coincide with benchtop development.
  • Create and manage the Ingredient Sourcing Spreadsheet to track ingredient documentation, vendor communication, sample status, etc.
  • Shop for retail ingredients and competitive products as applicable.
  • Manage project bins, ensuring a FIFO system is utilized and samples are labeled and dated.
  • Facilitate project bin clean-out during project close-out and ingredient re-entry into inventory.
  • Copy ingredient documentation into the ingredient library as applicable.
• Shipping
  • Prepare sample shipments, package appropriately, and prepare applicable documentation.
  • Obtain DL approval of final samples and packaging before shipping.
  • Drop packages at carrier or arrange for package drop off.
  • Communicate with PM on sample status and tracking.

Special Tasks

• Travel for education, trade shows & conferences for industry networking & marketing as required and approved

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant field (Food Science, Culinary Arts, etc.).

• Minimum 5yrs of food industry product development

Certifications, Licenses & Memberships

Required

• Member of IFT (national & local)

• Member of RCA

Recommended

• Certified Food Scientist (CFS)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Proficient user of Outlook, Excel, Word and CRM software. Experience with database programs, Microsoft SharePoint and Teams a plus

Physical Work Abilities and Requirements

This position requires walking, typing, and sitting/standing for extended periods.