Research & Development Food Technologist

Chairmans Foods specializes in producing a wide range of high quality, consistent customer solutions - main courses, side dishes, queso, ready-to-eat protein salads custom solutions for food service operators and retail stores. Chairmans has succeeded over the years with open communication, integrity, and with a deep commitment to southern hospitality.

Driven by our mission, vision and values, employee and food safety are always our top priority.

Reporting to the Vice President of R&D, the Food Technologist has the primary function of hands‑on product development with a focus on new products, change management and innovation. You will often work independently within the R&D organization and will have occasional customer and sales contact. This position will also assist in testing, plant trials, gather data, gather ingredients, communicate objectives, retain samples, ship samples and report results.

You will present and evaluate ingredients, packaging and products for internal and external approvals and evaluations.

• Develop formulas and applications
• Take products from concept to launch
• Assist with sourcing packaging and ingredients
• Evaluate ingredients and processes
• Evaluate new equipment (lab/production)
• Be a food and technical resource for development, flavors, colors, functionality, and packaging
• Run plant trials, tests, and scale‑ups
• Follow GMP’s, SOP’s and SSOP’s
• Ship and receive samples and ingredients
• Other duties as requested, directed, or assigned

• Culinary creativity; knowledge of current food trends
• Knowledge of USDA and FDA standards
• Proficient in MS Office
• Excellent math calculations and analyses
• Ability to interpret data from tests and lab results, experimental design and project management
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Organized, detail oriented and proactive
• Must be comfortable in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to lead projects autonomously, formulate, apply, evaluate packaging and assist in commercialization

• Minimum Bachelors degree in Food Science or related discipline required.
• 1-3 years related work experience in food manufacturing product development/R&D with exposure to packaging development and sourcing.
• Experience with both Food Service and Retail-facing products/packaging is preferred.

• 20-50% overnight travel, as needed, to support plant trials in Chairmans Foods manufacturing facilities.