Job Description
Apply To: https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=305126
Valley Fine Foods is a family-owned, consumer foods manufacturer headquartered near Napa Valley in Benicia, California. For almost two decades, we have dedicated ourselves to producing the highest quality, gourmet fresh and frozen foods to customers around the world. Our company continues to grow successfully despite the current economic conditions and we are looking for talented, hard-working individuals to join our team and to become the foundation for our future! Valley Fine Foods is seeking an Assistant R&D Chef to provide culinary creativity and product development support to the R&D department.
Responsibilities • Work with the R&D team to develop formulations for new product development from conceptualization to product commercialization. • Coordinate multiple concurrent food product launches from bench top testing to production commercialization. • Cook and evaluate R&D samples and current products. • Stay current on new food flavor trends for food service, club and retail channels. • Assist with the ideation of new products through market research and product surveys. • Create recipes with current products for packaging and marketing materials. • Operate R&D equipment. • Assist in the research and develop of formulations, machinery requirements, ingredients, and manufacturing processes for new products. • Assist production in new product start up. • Organize ingredient inventory and request the necessary ingredients for research projects. • Produce and inventory buyer samples and ship to sales accounts. • Complete department reports. • Must complete CGMP, HACCP, safety, sanitation and equipment training.
Requirements • Must be a local candidate residing in the San Francisco Bay Area • 2-5 year of product development in a food manufacturing facility creating packaged food products • 5-7 years of cooking experience in either restaurant or hotel industry, fine dining experience preferred • Must be self-motivated and a self-starter • Desire to work hands-on through all stages of product development • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail • Ability to multi-task multiple projects and work in a deadline driven environment • Sharp analytical skills and creative problem solver • Dedication to meet project deadlines and willing to work extended hours when necessary
Education, training and work experience required • Culinary degree from CIA, Johnson & Wales, CCA or other culinary school • Degree in Food Science or equivalent experience a plus • MS Office Suite
Physical Requirements • Ability to lift 50 lb bag • Must be able to stand for extended periods of time • Lifting, bending, and squatting as needed
Benefits • Medical![]()
, dental, and vision plans • Incentive bonus program • Paid vacation • 401K matching • Employee assistance program • Long term disability coverage
