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

PowerToFly; Solon (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Nestlé Development Center (NDC Solon, OH) seeks a senior culinary expert to lead pizza, pasta and dough craftsmanship, transforming ideas into viable prototypes for the Nestlé Global Chef Network. The role emphasizes Michelin-level technique and innovation in dough, with opportunities to influence across Nestlé USA Food Brands.

The position requires 5+ years of fine dining exposure, strong communication and organizational skills, and 10–15% travel. Visa sponsorship eligibility is noted.

Qualifications

• 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.
• English fluency required.
• Ability to Travel 10 - 15%.

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.

Skills

Pizza & dough craftsmanship

Michelin-rated restaurant experience

English fluency

Communication skills

Time management

Travel 10-15%

Culinary innovation

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.
• English fluency required.
• 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.

The approximate pay range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000.00 USD. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills and abilities as well as geographic location.

Nestlé offers performance-based incentives and acompetitive total rewards package, which includes a401k with company match, healthcare coverage and a broad range ofother benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may varydepending on the position.

Nestle in the US Benefits

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.