Culinary Innovation Specialist

Overview

John Soules Foods is a thriving family-owned food company that has made a positive difference for its customers and consumers for nearly 50 years. Our purpose and promise of Great Food, Made Simple® drives us. Based in Tyler, Texas, the company is a leading national producer of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook chicken and beef products and is the number one producer of chicken and beef fajitas in the USA.

We proudly serve a broad portfolio of great-tasting, high-quality products sold throughout the US via retail, food service distributors, and restaurants. Our wide array of national customers includes prominent organizations such as Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Sysco, and HEB. The company was established in 1975 by John Soules Sr., and the business is now in the second generation of family leadership.

The organization has expanded dramatically over the past decade, and with its continued growth, it now has annual sales of approximately $1 billion. The company employs over 2,000 individuals and has three manufacturing facilities in Gainesville, Georgia;
Valley, Alabama; and its headquarters in Tyler, Texas.

The Culinary Innovation Specialist will be responsible for assisting with the development of innovative, consumer‑centric meal solutions that align with the brand’s quality standards and market trends. This role combines culinary artistry with strategic product development, playing a vital part in the creation and commercialization of new and improved products for both food service and retail channels.

• Culinary degree or relevant culinary certification required; bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, Food Science, or related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in culinary product development, preferably within protein‑based foods or CPG.
• Strong understanding of food safety standards, HACCP, and food production processes.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and sensory evaluation skills.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally and thrive in a fast‑paced, innovative‑driven environment.
• Passion for food, flavor, and creating memorable eating experiences.

NOTE:

This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may perform other related duties to meet the organization's ongoing needs; these duties are considered marginal.

• Support the development of new protein‑based product concepts and meal solutions that align with current brand strategy and growth objectives.
• Translate culinary trends, market insights, and consumer data into innovative product ideas.
• Partner with R&D, Marketing, and Sales teams to bring concepts to market—from ideation to scale‑up and commercialization.
• Conduct competitive benchmarking and assist with tasting sessions to analyze flavor profiles, textures, and ingredients.
  
  Support with hands‑on culinary prototype creation and iterations based on sensory testing and feedback.
• Collaborate with procurement to source ingredients and ensure cost‑effective formulations.
• Support customer presentations, trade shows, and ideation sessions with food service and retail clients.
• Maintain a deep knowledge of current and emerging food trends, ingredients, cooking methods, and consumer preferences.

This job is carried out in a professional office setting and involves using standard office equipment like laptops, desk phones, and smartphones. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, cold temperatures, and electrical shock and vibration risks. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Employees must be able to stand, walk, or sit; use their hands for tasks; reach with their arms; and communicate verbally. Occasional lifting or moving of objects is necessary, along with close, distance, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Sitting for extended periods of time while working on computer.
• Reliable transportation required.

• Vacation
• Sick days
• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
• 401k with company match
• Telemedicine
• Onsite Clinic – Tyler and Valley
• Free annual health screening
• STD and LTD
• Life insurance
• Career Development:
  We support professional growth through continuous learning and development opportunities.

Soules Foods is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Applicants with disabilities needing accommodation during the application process can contact Human Resources at the relevant location.

Soules Foods will not discriminate against applicants who discuss their compensation. We also participate in the E‑Verify program where required by law.