Job Description
Elevate the Future of Taste. Lumina Foods is seeking a visionary Head of Culinary Innovation & Product Development to spearhead our next-generation strategy. You will bridge the gap between culinary artistry and food science, leading a world-class team to create sustainable, craveable products that define the market.
We are not just cooking; we are engineering the future of nutrition. As a key leader in our organization, you will own the R&D roadmap, ensuring every product launch resonates with our premium consumer base while adhering to the highest standards of safety and quality.
Responsibilities
- Lead R&D Strategy: Define and execute the product development roadmap, driving innovation in plant-based, sustainable, and functional food categories.
- Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and inspire a cross-functional team of chefs, food scientists, and sensory analysts to foster a culture of creativity and excellence.
- Prototype & Scale: Oversee the transition from concept to commercial production, ensuring scalability, cost-efficiency, and regulatory compliance (FSMA, FDA).
- Market Intelligence: Conduct in-depth market research and trend analysis to identify emerging flavor profiles and consumer preferences.
- Sensory Evaluation: Direct sensory testing protocols and consumer panels to validate product viability and flavor integrity.
- Cost Management: Work closely with supply chain partners to optimize ingredient sourcing and manage project budgets effectively.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Nutrition, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in food product development, R&D, or culinary management within the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) industry.
- Culinary Expertise: Strong background in both culinary techniques and food science principles.
- Leadership: Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams and managing cross-functional projects.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of food safety regulations, labeling laws, and HACCP standards.
- Problem Solving: Ability to troubleshoot complex formulation challenges and deliver results under tight deadlines.