When it comes to being wild, we know a thing or two. We're not afraid of trying something new or the hard work it takes to make it happen. It's in our DNA. We've turned a family recipe into a new snacking category. And the wilderness into the world's largest meat snack business, that's still proudly family owned and operated.

We're a company built by innovators, and are driven to not only satisfy your hunger, but to also feed your journey – whether that journey is on the road, on the run, at the campground, at the playground, in the office or in the moment. It’s a journey we share with you. It’s the journey forward of our people, of our communities, of our category…with a reverence for quality and an irreverence for the status quo.

At Jack Link's Protein Snacks, we see every moment of every day as an opportunity to move forward, to forge new ground. To realize our vision of becoming the World’s #1 Protein Snacking Company. We never give up. You never give up. Together, we keep going. Are you wild enough to join us?

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s Protein Snacks also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company is made up of over 4,000 passionate team members, across 11 countries, who share an uncompromising commitment to delivering awesome products and feeding the journey of those who move things forward. The Jack Link’s Protein Snacks portfolio of brands includes, Jack Link’s, Lorissa’s Kitchen, MATADOR Jerky, BiFi and Peperami.

Join us as our Senior Research and Development Culinologist! This role incorporates both developing creative recipes that highlight our products as well as representing Jack Link's innovation team at corporate events, trade shows and in media promotions. 

Specifically, you will: 

• Lead and manage all aspects of projects including conceptualizing, designing, developing and evaluation from a creative culinary standpoint while working efficiently as part of a cross functional team
• Utilize culinary passion and creativity to lead and teach R&D team members about conceptualization and creation of product samples with dynamic new and on trend flavor profiles in conjunction with current projects
• Organize cross functional team cuttings to aid in product development
• Stay on top of current and future food/culinary trends and be able to implement these into product development as well as cross functional office training
• Develop recipes for applications and convert those recipes into final formulations for products and production
• Manage relationships with suppliers, co-packers and manufacturers to develop innovative new to market and new to category products or ingredients
• Represent Jack Link’s Innovation team at corporate events and trade shows.  Direct the work of sampling team members including product training and safe food handling. 
• Attend major industry shows to research new and innovative product launches and further industry knowledge via informational seminars
• Take a leadership role in developing menus, purchasing ingredients, preparing food, organizing team members and cooking at major Jack Link’s Corporate events throughout the year

EDUCATION:

• AOS (Associates of Occupational Studies) or BPS (Bachelors of Professional Studies) Degree from an accredited culinary school, university or institute, or equivalent

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum combined 10 years hands on culinary experience within the hospitality/restaurant or consumer packaged goods industry
• At least five years experience as an executive sous or 1st sous chef, chef de cuisine or chef de partie within the hospitality/restaurant industry
• Or, at least 2 years experience as an executive chef or R&D chef within the hospitality/restaurant or consumer packaged goods industry
• Proven track record of effective leadership of teams
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
• Well rounded understanding of various international cuisine styles

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

E-Verify
We provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, we are required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. We may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid, we use E-Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that your employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.