Location: Northumberland,PA, USA
Furmano Foods, is a single site manufacturer with 350 employees located in Northumberland, PA, celebrating our 104th year of providing delicious, wholesome foods! We are family-owned, 4th generation, growth-oriented business driven to exceed our customers' expectations by practicing biblical principles, providing exceptional service, and progressing continuously.
Furmano Foods Core Values:
• Safety
• Thankfulness
• Honesty
• Kindness
• Unity
• Diligence
• Stick-To-it-Iveness
Position Summary:
Furmano Foods is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Corporate Chef to lead our new
product development and food science initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess a deep
understanding of culinary techniques, food science principles, and Foodservice Operator
and Retail Consumer trends. This role requires a strategic thinker with the ability to
manage tactical execution and detail in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Proven
ability to manage projects from inception through commercialization working cross functionally to achieve goals on timeline.
Education:
(Include licenses, certifications, permits)
Preferred BS or advanced degree in Culinary Arts or Food
Science. Is active in industry associations and organizations i.e.,
Research Chef's Association, IFT, etc.
Experience / Qualifications
• Minimum of 8 years in product development, culinary
• research; or related field
• Proven track record of successful product launches.
• Strong understanding of food science principles,
• including ingredient functionality, processing
• techniques, and sensory evaluation.
• Excellent project management and organizational
• skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced,
• collaborative environment.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Highly proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft
• Word and Outlook.
• Experience in Food Manufacturing industry
• Knowledge of statistical analysis and data interpretation
Skills / Abilities:
Proficient in recipe and menu development. Solid
communication and presentation skills. Demonstrates the ability
to win business.
Physical Demands:
Good physical and mental health, sound judgment and high
moral standards and a sincere desire to work with individuals from varied backgrounds.
Travel approximately 25% of the time
Duties and Responsibilities:
o Conceptualize, develop, and launch new food products
aligned with company objectives and market trends relative
to Foodservice operators and consumer facing Retail
products.
o Work with VP Sales & Marketing, Marketing team and New
Product Development group to conduct thorough market
research to identify consumer preferences and competitive
landscapes.
o Lead the New Product Development group to develop and
track the NPD pipeline. Vet new product ideas with
Operations and Manufacturing capabilities and capacity in
mind. Refresh existing assortment as needed to remain on
point with market preferences and ingredient trends.
o Work directly with customers to build customize products
whether to match an existing item or collaborate to build a
new item through ideation and feedback.
o Manage co-pack relationships as well as commercialization
and on-going manufacturing with third party partners.
o Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Sales, Marketing,
R&D, Production, Operations, Quality) to bring products
from concept to commercialization.
o Develop and maintain detailed product specifications,
formulations, and process documentation.
o Conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing to assess
product quality and acceptability.
Food Science:
o Apply food science principles to optimize product
development, ensuring product safety, quality, and shelf life.
o Research and implement new food technologies and
ingredients to enhance product innovation.
o Possess and maintain a strong understanding of food
regulations (e.g., FDA, GFSI etc.) and compliance standards.
o Conduct ingredient and supplier evaluations to ensure
product integrity.
o Work with and assist Quality Assurance through
commercialization process as needed (e.g., heat penetration
work for new items, testing and validation of raw materials)
Team Leadership and Support:
o Foster a culture of innovation and experimentation within the
team.
o Provide technical guidance and support to the culinary team.
o Assist with customer or trade show presentations as needed.
Business Acumen:
o Develop and manage Culinary and New Product
Development budgets.
o Analyze product performance and profitability to inform
future product strategies.
o Present product concepts and results to senior management.
Working Conditions:
Physical Environment
Manual Dexterity:
Audible / Visual Demands
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee Profit Sharing Bonus
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
• Northumberland, PA 17857 (Preferred)