Global R&D Chef, Ben & Jerry's.

Ben & Jerry; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-competitive pay

Flexible work arrangements

Health and wellbeing programs

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Ben & Jerry’s Corporate R&D is seeking a visionary culinary innovator to drive an on-going flow of flavor inspiration from trend to strategy. You will connect consumer insights with brand relevance and business priorities to develop distinctive concepts and prototypes.

The role leads cross-functional collaboration across global innovation, renovation, Scoop Shop programs, and limited-batch flavors, while hosting and guiding culinary experiences for employees and partners.

Qualifications

• Degree in Culinary Arts or related with experience in Food Science or Technology.
• 5+ years in corporate culinary innovation or food development, with consumer insight translation into platforms.
• Proven ability to create compelling concepts and prototypes and communicate value.

Responsibilities

• Drive an on-going innovation mindset by spotting trends and translating them into opportunities.
• Shape strategy and roadmaps by linking insights, brand relevance, and business priorities.
• Lead culinary innovation from idea to launch across programs and SKUs.

Skills

Culinary innovation

Trend analysis

Storytelling

Cross-functional leadership

Prototyping

Supplier collaboration

Food safety basics

Education

Culinary Arts degree

Food Science background

Tools

PLM/Interspec systems

Nutrition labeling basics

Job description

THE ROLE:

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream innovation starts here! This role brings an always‑on flow of relevant food inspiration to the Global Ben & Jerry innovation team and turns trends, consumer insight, and business needs into distinctive culinary strategies, compelling stories, gold‑standard products, and breakthrough ice cream experiences.

This is not a traditional restaurant kitchen position. This role is for the pioneer, the dreamer, the chunk‑and‑swirl creator who has their head in the clouds and a spoon in their pocket. Success means churning up the next big thing in ice cream all the way from spark to strategy: identifying an opportunity, framing the consumer and cultural context, creating a complete point of view, aligning partners, developing prototypes, and clearly communicating why the idea matters for Ben & Jerry’s.

The role also serves as the highly visible host and steward of the Ben & Jerry Corporate R&D kitchen, creating engaging ice‑cream‑making experiences for employees, partners, visitors, and VIP guests while maintaining a safe, organized, and inspiring development environment. Think you have what it takes to lead Ben & Jerry’s into the next era of ice cream innovation? We can’t wait to hear from you!

WHAT YOU'LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• Drive an always‑on innovation mindset, identifying emerging food, flavor, cultural, and consumer trends and translating them into opportunities for Ben & Jerry's.
• Shape innovation strategy and roadmaps by connecting consumer insights, trends, brand relevance, and business priorities into clear innovation platforms and recommendations.
• Lead culinary innovation from inspiration to launch, creating concepts, flavors, prototypes, and gold standards across global innovation, renovation, Scoop Shop, and limited‑batch programs, including end‑to‑end Scoop Shop flavor development.
• Inspire and develop teams through trend immersions, brainstorms, supplier collaborations, workshops, and culinary experiences that unlock creativity and drive action.
• Build alignment and momentum across functions, bringing together the right people, ideas, and partners to move opportunities from concept through execution.
• Own the R&D kitchen and product experience, ensuring a safe, organized, and inspiring environment for innovation, collaboration, and development.
• Serve as a Ben & Jerry's brand ambassador, creating memorable ice cream experiences for employees, visitors, customers, and VIPs that bring our brand, values, and product innovation to life

This role is designed for an innovation-focused, corporate research chef, culinary strategist, or food innovation professional. Success will come from the ability to identify opportunities, build strategic innovation platforms, inspire teams, and influence direction—not solely from culinary execution or restaurant experience.

Required skills and experience:

• Degree or diploma in Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, or similar with experience in Food Science, or Food Technology.
• 5+ years of experience in corporate culinary innovation, food innovation, menu development, or food applications, preferably within a branded food or CPG environment. Proven ability to translate consumer insights, trends, and cultural movements into strategic innovation platforms, compelling concepts, and differentiated products.
• Strong track record of innovation, storytelling, building recommendations, and presentations that connect consumer needs, trends, brand relevance, and business opportunity. Deep expertise in dessert, frozen dessert, pastry, or indulgent food development, with the ability to create inspiring prototypes and gold standards.
• Experience leading innovation workshops, tastings, trend immersions, and cross‑functional ideation sessions that inspire teams and drive action.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across Brand, Consumer Insights, R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, and external partners to bring ideas from concept to launch.
• Working knowledge of product specifications, PLM/Interspec systems, nutrition/legal declarations, and certification requirements (e.g., Fair Trade, Kosher, Halal, Non-GMO).

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working across markets or regions and adapting culinary ideas to different consumer and operational contexts.
• Experience partnering with ingredient suppliers and translating supplier capabilities into differentiated innovation.
• Experience in culinary education, facilitation, public speaking, or executive/VIP hosting.

Travel may be required to support supplier and partner sessions, market or trend immersions, and global innovation activities. Maximum 3-4 trips per year. Possible domestic and international travel.

WHAT YOU'LL GET:

Alongside meaningful work and strong development, we offer a reward package that typically includes:

• Market‑competitive pay and performance-related rewards
• Flexible ways of working
• Support for health, wellbeing, and life outside of work
• Time off to rest and recharge
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Medical, dental, and (where applicable) vision coverage
• Health and well‑being support, including employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives
• Health‑related savings and spending accounts
• Retirement savings programs with a competitive matching plan
• Additional employee perks (e.g., corporate discounts, commuter or learning support). Benefits vary by country and are subject to plan terms and eligibility.