Sr. Chef, Culinary Innovation

Nestle's Research & Development Center is our regional powerhouse driving innovation in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical science. Backed by our global Nestle 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 not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

This role leads cooking, cuisine, and promotion of culinary mastership at the Nestle Development Center (NDC Solon, OH) in support of R&D priorities linked to the Strategic Business Unit and Market.

The team member is accountable for identifying and translating back to NDC Solon stakeholders what, why and how the latest Global cuisine and culinary developments impact Nestle R&D Discovery and Nestle USA (NUSA) business. A successful team member will identify and lead strategic initiatives and best-practice in Culinary Excellence across the Chef Network within and outside Nestle. The role will proactively lead the culinary inspiration and development of NDC projects, and support Project Managers / Product Developers / Engineers / Technicians in scaling up the products in Bench-Top, Pilot Plant and factory by applying cooking and cuisine expertise.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead discovery, translation, and communication of restaurant cuisine, culinary art culinary science, and home-cooking trends.
• Lead strategic initiatives, knowledge building and food inspiration showcases, which demonstrate Commercial Culinary Mastery and deliver inspiration to R&D, Business and Customer stakeholders.
• Develop and drive culinary-inspired ideas, concepts and prototypes based on consumer needs and business opportunities.
• Develop and drive expertise into NDC ideations, projects, and site activities using visual story-telling tools and best-practices in presentation design.
• Develop and drive gold standard and reference target for NDC projects, training Sensory Product Experience team, and demonstrate insight from research to scale-up to ensure reference target is met.
• Identify, own, and activate a Culinary Excellence/Culinary Education workstream within and across the broader Nestle Chef Network and the R&D community.
• Inspire and support opportunities with the Nestle Chef Network in creativity, problem-solving, information sharing, common challenges or internal/external events and publicity (weekly planning-meeting and calendar in common).
• Inspire and support nutritionists and technologists to formulate and develop products, according to Nestle and external guidelines.
• Develop, maintain, and share knowledge across the Nestle Ingredient Advisor community of new/novel vendor material, raw materials and functional ingredients.
• Support Nestle Quality Management System initiatives and administrative budgeting (OPEX, CAPEX) related to the Culinarium and Support Kitchen.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience and Knowledge):

• 5-10 years of professional kitchen experience. Culinary Science degree or certifications, and award-winning/Michelin recognized restaurant experience preferred.
• Mastery of/with several different cuisines and the knowledge and ability to adapt them to American consumer needs.
• Mastery of professional culinary technique (logistics/planning, preparation, and presentation), as guided by Global Michelin rating standards.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, and presentation). Must demonstrate clear and concise explanations of product culinary characteristics and marketplace trends (what, why, how) in the context of Business Understanding and adapted for the specific presentation audience.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills. Can independently and proactively prioritize and manage time and resource commitments across multiple projects.
• Strong interest & motivation (passion) applying culinary knowledge to product development that drives business results (Discovery projects, pipeline, and launches).
• Strong self-directed curiosity, creativity, prototyping and "idea pitch" skill.
• Strong collaboration, networking & information gathering skills. Understands and can proactively drive and promote collaboration of cross-functional relationship networks.
• Exposure to product development activities and food manufacturing facilities.
• Ability to coach, train, and mentor product developers/scientists in the culinary area.
• Ability to Travel 10 - 15%.

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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 Nestle. 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. Nestle seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you'll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestle home.

The Nestle Companies are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined 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 accommodations@nestle.com or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

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