Chef - Research and Development / Kitchen Manager

The Food Group is a dynamic and innovative company specializing in culinary development and product innovation. With a focus on creativity and consumer-centric solutions, the company operates a dedicated innovation facility located in the vibrant Fulton Market district of Chicago. This location serves as a hub for culinary experimentation, research and development, and cross-functional collaboration, aimed at delivering exceptional food products that meet evolving global tastes and market demands. The Food Group embraces a culture of diversity, inclusion, and continuous learning, fostering an environment where creativity and technical expertise combine to drive the future of culinary trends and food technology.

We are currently seeking a highly creative R&D/Innovation Chef & Kitchen Manager to join our team onsite at the Fulton Market Chicago location. This full-time role offers a competitive annual salary ranging from $80,000 to $120,000, commensurate with experience. The successful candidate will lead culinary product development initiatives and oversee the operations of our innovation kitchen. This position entails driving scalable, consumer-focused innovation from the initial concept phase through to successful commercialization, ensuring that our products not only meet but exceed customer expectations.

As the R&D/Innovation Chef & Kitchen Manager, you will collaborate closely with Culinary and R&D teams as well as cross-departmental partners including Product Development, Sales, Marketing, and external clients. Your responsibilities will include generating innovative food prototypes, applying cultural insights and food trends, assessing product feasibility, and managing kitchen operations to uphold a top-tier facility environment. You will also play a critical role in capability enhancement by developing and sharing best practices and culinary methodologies with both internal teams and external suppliers.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of progressive experience in culinary research and development, complemented by seasoned expertise across diverse foodservice channels such as hotels, full-service restaurants, catering, and business and industry sectors. Experience within the Corporate Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) arena is preferred but not mandatory. A formal culinary education or completion of an apprenticeship program is required, ensuring a strong foundation in culinary principles.

This role demands a profound understanding of food science and ingredient functionality, familiarity with food safety regulations, professional cooking techniques, and mastery of R&D terminology. Effective leadership and collaboration skills are essential as you will guide projects, build teams, and foster partnerships while engaging effectively with global teams and live customers. Communication skills—both written and verbal—must be exemplary to present concepts clearly and professionally.

Creativity and problem-solving are at the heart of this role. You should be passionate about culinary innovation, bring fresh ideas to the table, and possess decision-making skills to resolve challenges related to taste, quality, cost, and preparation time. Strong organizational abilities and adaptability are crucial, as you will manage recipe formulation, ingredient sourcing, product testing, and facility operations in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Joining The Food Group means you will be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to culinary excellence and innovation. In addition to a competitive salary, we provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our employees and their families. Our inclusive hiring process includes multiple conversational interviews, portfolio reviews, and a skills assignment, ensuring a mutual fit culturally and professionally. We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.