Director of Research and Development; Food & Beverage

CuliNEXis a clean label food and beverage development company that is dedicated to nourishing a brighter future through food innovation. We continue to grow and are looking for passionate food professionals to join our team.

If you are ready to shape the future of clean label innovation and lead a world-class product development and menu development team,let’sstart the conversation!

Since 2005,CuliNEXhas been the industry’s premier consulting firm providing product development & strategicinnovationservices focused on clean label food products. We strive to exceed our client’s business goals by developing delicious, cleanlabelfoods that create a better planet, healthier people,and happier communities. We are now part of the JPG Resources family of companies.

We’repassionate about creating great tasting, wholesome food. We specialize inassistingbrand owners, food manufacturers, ingredientsuppliersand retailers with achieving their growth goals by bringing successful products to market. Ourexpertisecovers a wide variety of food product categories including frozen, refrigerated and shelf stable products, seafood, bakery goods, soups and sauces, dairy products, grains,produce and snack items.

The Director of Research and Development
is a senior technical authority atCuliNEX, responsible for defining the R&D strategy and driving the scientific direction of the organization. Reporting to the Managing Director, you will oversee the implementation and execution of consulting services that deliver delicious and innovative clean label foods.

This role is designed for a great people manager who thrives on complex problem-solving,drivingtechnicalconversations, andis excited to grow andmentor a team offoodscientists and chefs.

• Define the R&Dprocessesandoversee the program of innovation efforts for the organization, ensuring
  
  CuliNEXremainsat the forefront of food science and clean label technology.
• Lead complex technical projects, specifically focusing on the optimization of flavor and texture systems,product quality troubleshooting, and science-driven cost optimizations.
• Assess technical fitfor incoming high-stakes projects, recommending specific scientific resources and strategic approaches to ensure successful commercialization.
• Act as technical advisor with external clients, providing consultation and representing CuliNEX through presentations and thought leadership.
• Partner with Salesteam to realistically scope and technically audit new business opportunities.

• Champion the "Gold Standard" process, ensuring that every product developedmaintainsthe highest level of culinary integrity while meeting rigorous commercial requirements.
• Cultivate a collaborative culture that bridges the gap between culinary artistry and food science, leading teams composed of professionalresearchchefs,culinologists,andfoodscientists to create delicious, chef-inspired food at scale.
• Expand your professional impact by leading a diverse portfolio of projects in parallel, ranging from disruptive startups to global CPG giants.
• Provide ultimate oversight on project timelines and deliverables, ensuring culinary and technical excellence is maintained.
• Mentor and grow the R&D team’s bench strength, fostering an environment of continuous learning and scientific rigor.
• Helpyourteamboost their efficiencyby applying best practices fortestkitchen management, documentation, and project management.
• Manage team workloads, ensuring the rightexpertiseand resources are applied to every client project.
• Foster an environment where culinary creativity is fueled by scientific discovery, encouraging the team to explore new ingredients and techniques that elevate the eating experience.

• BS, MS or PhDin Food Science,Culinologyor a related field
• Minimum 12years of food product development experience, with at least 5 years in a technicalleadershiprole.
• Proven track recordof navigating diverse food categories, including frozen, shelf-stable, and fresh-prepared systems.

• Deep Ingredient…