R&D Development Chef

Americana Foods - National Food Company; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company in Jeddah seeks an R&D Development Chef to develop culinary relationships and enhance customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of culinary experience, strong sensory analysis skills, and a background in food technology or engineering. Responsibilities include product development and managing quality specifications. This role offers an opportunity to innovate within the food production sector.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years as a culinary chef in a similar industry.
• Knowledge of food science, ingredients, and production technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop culinary relationships with chefs and key decision makers.
• Support product cost reduction while maintaining quality.
• Run the Sensory Program and conduct sensory panels.

Skills

Culinary skills

Sensory analysis

Relationship building

Product specification development

Education

Bachelor’s / master’s in food engineering/technology or chemical engineering

Tools

Recipe management software

Job description

Job Purpose:

The R&D Development Chef will be responsible for developing culinary relationships (Chef to Chef) and key customer leadership/decision makers, as appropriate. Connect the consumer voice with the R&D Team to develop the desired products. Able to connect the dots between the company portfolio and consumer needs.

Experience in back‑of‑house preparation to influence the R&D Team during the product development process. Good technique and ability on sensory analysis.

Chef responsibilities include studying recipes, setting up menus and preparing high‑quality dishes for client presentations. Also, he should be familiar with sanitation regulations.

Knowledge of food science, ingredients and production technologies.

Maintain a hygienic workspace in the kitchen and dining areas by following established schedules, prescribed methods, and established standards.

Key Accountabilities:

(1) Strategic

• Support the company on ideas to reduce the product cost without compromising the quality and sensory attributes.
• Improve skills & efficiency by attending courses, fairs, visiting other sites of Americana and suppliers.
• Establish product specifications and documentation for QA, clients, production and R&D Team.

(2) Operational

• Develop with the R&D Team products for the QSR and FS business across KSA. Products aligned with the client specification with focus on quality.
• Visit the clients to build a relationship on trust, quality and service. Offer innovation and adapt Americana portfolio to the client menu. Work towards improving customer satisfaction on a daily basis.
• Be responsible to run the Sensory Program in KSA, based on Americana Sensory Program book.
• Run sensory panels and compare Americana products vs competitors. Share the results via report with the related personnel.

Qualifications, Experience, & Skills:

• Bachelor’s / master’s in food engineering/technology, chemical engineer.
• Minimum of 5 years as a culinary chef in a similar industry.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in computer skills MO.
• Ability to learn new systems for recipe and information management.