CuliNEX is Hiring: Entry Level Culinologist

Our Company

Since 2005, CuliNEX has been the industry’s premier consulting firm providing product development & strategic business services focused on clean label food products. While maintaining our commitment to continuous learning, we exceed our client’s business goals by developing delicious, clean label foods that create a better planet, healthier people and happier communities.

What We Do

We’re passionate about creating great tasting, wholesome food. We specialize in assisting brand owners, food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and retailers with achieving their growth goals by bringing successful products to market. Our expertise covers 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 Job

Our business is growing and we have an immediate need for an experienced Product Developer/Culinologist to join our team. We prefer a Culinary + Food Science, Culinology, or Food Science program graduate with 1 – 3 years of product development experience.

Our contractors work shoulder to shoulder with our team, supporting client projects as well administrative tasks. CuliNEX contractor trials are usually 3 months in length. If there is a fit, full-time employment is offered at a rate commensurate with experience. We are looking for a person with a commitment to clean label food products, and a keen desire to work in food consulting with an industry leader

Key Responsibilities

While your day-to-day tasks will vary based on our current project portfolio, you can expect your work load to include:

• Participation in creative concepting and ideation
• Development of design of experiments for benchtop formulation
• Writing and preparing benchtop formulations
• Preparing and shipping samples for customers
• Data documentation and record keeping
• Ordering ingredients and communication with vendors to request samples and documentation 
• Conducting analytical tests and analyzing results
• Coordinating & scheduling kitchen time, equipment and resources efficiently; maintaining the organization and cleanliness in the office and test kitchen daily
• Setting up and leading product cuttings
• Research on various topics, such as competitive products, co-packers, ingredient functionality, processing technologies, packaging, equipment and consumer trends

Our Ideal Candidate is:

• Passionate about food and the science behind it
• Eager to work in a team environment and collaborate
• A good communicator with an ability to follow directions
• An analytical and creative thinker; enjoys participating in the product development process
• Curious problem solver, able to brainstorm solutions to challenging problems
• Committed to continuous learning and improvement
• Organized and detail oriented
• Self-motivated and able to self-manage
• Can multitask and prioritize in a busy kitchen environment (foodservice experience is helpful)
• Able to change gears quickly and handle ambiguity with grace
• Interested in giving back to our industry through networking, utilizing social media, public speaking, attending trade shows and conferences, and creative and technical writing
• Able to travel occasionally for presentations, conferences, and trade shows

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient on computer programs including Excel, Word & Outlook; knowledge of SharePoint a plus.
• Have a reliable car, personal laptop computer and cell phone
• Able to lift 50 lbs., walk up and down stairs, and climb ladders
• Must be able to work for extended periods of time while standing and sitting

Education and Experience

• At a minimum, a diploma with a 3.0 or higher GPA (recent graduates) in one or more of the following: A.A.S. in Culinary Arts or related, B.S. in Culinology, or B.S. in Food Science. Equivalent work experience in one of these fields will also be considered.
• 1-3 years working in a commercial or industrial kitchen, or food processing plant.

The Environment

CuliNEX is located by Sea-Tac International Airport, 10 miles south of downtown Seattle, WA. Our business is typically Monday through Friday and we offer flexible hours to make sure team members maintain a good work/life balance.  Work hours average 35-40 hours per week at a rate commensurate with experience.

We work hard, have fun and believe in our team. You’ll need to be ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work, speak up and lend your voice to the collective conversation. You must be able to go with the flow of our ever-changing, quickly growing business.  A great sense of humor, an ability to laugh at yourself, a caring nature and an unquenchable curiosity will serve you well here. We make an intentional effort to create the right culture at CuliNEX and offer the following perks:

• Great coffee, beverages (even beer!) and plenty of snacks
• Birthday and hire date anniversary celebrations
• Many team building events including local purveyor tours, dinners and lunches with the team, spontaneous celebrations and opportunities for FUN

Benefits

CuliNEX is proud to offer all team members a comprehensive career growth plan that fosters your passions as well as your personal and professional growth. Once hired on as a full-time employee, you can expect to enjoy the many benefits CuliNEX offers:

• Annual cash bonus award
• IRA Retirement Savings Plan with company match of up to 3% of your salary 
• Medical Reimbursement Benefits up to $1,680/yr.
• 2 weeks paid vacation
• 11 Company holidays, which includes the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• One paid membership in either the RCA or IFT
• Paid attendance and travel to one Trade Show or Association Conference/yr.
• Company paid continuing education seminars

To Apply

We currently have a position open.

This position is in Seattle, WA. Candidates must be able to relocate independently.

Please submit resume and a cover letter describing what clean label food means to you.  Be sure to use “I want to join Team Awesome!” in the RE: line. Please do not call our offices about this position. Send your packet to: teamawesome@culinex.biz