R&D Development Chef (Pasta, Pizza, Dough)

Nestlé S.A.; Solon (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Visa sponsorship eligible

Job summary

Nestlé Development Center in Solon, OH is seeking a senior culinary leader to drive pizza, pasta and dough mastery within the Nestlé Global Chef Network. You will translate creative concepts into working prototypes and scalable concepts for Nestlé brands.

The ideal candidate has Michelin-level kitchen experience, excels in recipe design and scaling, and can collaborate across disciplines while traveling 10–15%.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional kitchen experience at Michelin-rated or equivalent high-end restaurants.
• Proven skill in pizza dough, pasta dough, fermentation, and scaling for consistency.
• Experience with recipe planning, preparation, and presentation to Michelin-style standards.
• Excellent oral and written communication; ability to explain product characteristics and trends.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; able to manage multiple projects.
• Willingness to travel 10–15%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive culinary ideas and prototypes from trends to commercialization.
• Set gold standard targets from idea to scale-up.
• Build and leverage external culinary networks.
• Own Culinary Excellence/Culinary Education workstream across Nestlé Chef Network and R&D.
• Develop and sustain culinary skills through activities at the development center.
• Support Nestlé Chef Network collaborations and internal events.
• Maintain kitchen and product safety, organization, and planning.

Skills

Pizza dough mastery

Pasta dough expertise

Culinary craftsmanship

Communication skills

Planning & organization

Travel readiness

Job description

Nestlé’s Research & Development Center is our regional powerhouse driving innovation in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical science. Backed by our global Nestlé R&D organization, we lead breakthrough discoveries that are both good for consumers and the planet. Our team of experts range from product developers to engineers, working across our portfolio of food, beverage, infant nutrition, and health science to create leading-edge products and services. As part of our organization, you will use your entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence to unlock the power of food and provide premium value.

This position is eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This role drives pizza, pasta and dough culinary mastership at the Nestlé Development Center (NDC Solon, OH), and is a key contributor to the Nestlé Global Chef Network.

A successful team member demonstrates a high level of cooking and cuisine expertise specifically in pizza dough, fresh pasta and overall dough craftsmanship, and the ability to transform creative ideas into desirable, feasible and viable working concepts/prototypes.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and drive culinary-inspired ideas, concepts and prototypes based on consumer and marketplace trends/needs and business opportunities.
• Develop and drive gold standard and reference targets for projects, from idea inception to commercialization/scale up.
• Develop, maintain and leverage external networks in the culinary community.
• Identify, own, and activate a Culinary Excellence/Culinary Education workstream within and across the broader Nestlé Chef Network and the R&D community.
• Maintain and continue to develop culinary skills by initiating, planning and executing inspirational activities and events in the development center.
• Inspire and support opportunities with the Nestlé Chef Network in creativity, problem-solving, information sharing, common challenges or internal/external events and publicity (weekly planning-meeting and calendar in common).
• Own best practice in kitchen and product safety and organization and work planning.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience and Knowledge):

• 5+ years of professional kitchen experience including Michelin-rated (or equivalent award-winning) high-end fine dining restaurants.
• Demonstrated craftsmanship and expertise in pizza, pasta and dough recipe design and scaling for consistency, including ingredient selection, dough fermentation techniques and preparation methods.
• Demonstrated professional culinary technique (recipe planning, preparation, and presentation), as guided by global high-end fine dining gastronomy standards such as Michelin (or similar equivalent).
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, and presentation). Must demonstrate clear and concise explanations of product culinary characteristics and marketplace trends (what, why, how).
• Excellent organizational and planning skills. Can independently and proactively prioritize and manage time and resource commitments across multiple projects.
• Strong self-directed curiosity, creativity, prototyping and “idea pitch” skill.
• Strong collaboration, networking & information gathering skills. Understands and can proactively leverage and promote relationship networks.
• Ability to Travel 10 - 15%.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Position reports to R&D Category Director, who together with the Global Concept & Development Kitchen Lead for NPTC Food will provide an onboarding plan, and ongoing coaching and development support.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

This individual does not have any direct reports but should be able to coach/mentor team members in projects that he/she is leading.

FINANCIAL/STRATEGIC IMPACT:

This position is in support and service of the Nestlé Global brand environment and Nestlé USA Food Brands including (but not limited to) Stouffer's, Lean Cuisine, Vital Pursuit, Hot Pockets, DiGiorno, California Pizza Kitchen, Jack’s and Tombstone.

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [e-mail] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is eligible for Visa Sponsorship.