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Culinary Research Development Jobs in Atlanta, GA

Experience: * 7 -10+ years of food research and development experience, with an understanding of food chemistry, food safety, and related regulations. Functional culinary knowledge. * 4+ years in ...

Executive Chef, Production

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Attend weekly meetings with R&D chefs in order to give feedback on recipes or ingredient ... American Culinary Federation chef certification preferred * Fluent in Microsoft Office and Google ...

Executive Chef, Production

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Attend weekly meetings with R&D chefs in order to give feedback on recipes or ingredient ... American Culinary Federation chef certification preferred * Fluent in Microsoft Office and Google ...

Attend weekly meetings with R&D chefs in order to give feedback on recipes or ingredient ... American Culinary Federation chef certification preferred * Fluent in Microsoft Office and Google ...

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Culinary Research Development information

See Atlanta, GA salary details

$12

$25

$38

How much do culinary research development jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary research development in Atlanta, GA is $25.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $29.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are culinary research development jobs?

Culinary research and development jobs focus on using food science and the culinary arts to create new food and drink options for a menu. Common job titles include research chef, culinary research and development specialist, and culinary research and development chef. In any of these roles, you may select the ingredients for each recipe, help determine whether or not a dish should go on the menu, and focus on using innovation during the R&D process to meet the company's goals. This job has two major components. First, on the culinary side, your job is to create the best dishes you can. On the other hand, employers also expect you to consider the practical and business aspects of a dish. This includes how costly the ingredients are, how easy the ingredients are to get, whether or not it's possible to work the ingredients into a supply chain, and how easy it is for another chef to replicate the dish in a timely manner.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in culinary research development, and why are they important?

Culinary Research and Development (R&D) is a specialized field that focuses on creating, testing, and improving food products, recipes, and cooking techniques. Professionals in this area work in various settings, such as food manufacturing companies, restaurants, and test kitchens, to innovate and develop new menu items or packaged foods. They blend culinary creativity with scientific principles to ensure products are safe, tasty, and marketable. Culinary R&D often involves collaborating with chefs, food scientists, and marketing teams to bring new food concepts to life.

What are some common challenges faced in a culinary research development role and how can they be overcome?

Professionals in Culinary Research Development often encounter challenges such as balancing creativity with cost-effectiveness, adapting recipes for large-scale production, and meeting diverse dietary requirements. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—like marketing, nutrition, and manufacturing—is essential to ensure that products are innovative yet feasible. Staying up-to-date with food trends and consumer preferences also requires ongoing research and flexibility. Success in this role often depends on strong project management skills and open communication within the team.

What is the difference between Culinary Research Development vs Food Scientist?

AspectCulinary Research DevelopmentFood Scientist
CredentialsCooking and culinary certifications, culinary degreesFood science degrees, certifications in food safety
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, culinary labs, product development kitchensLaboratories, manufacturing facilities, research centers
Industry UsageFood companies, restaurants, product development firmsFood manufacturing, research institutions, quality control

While Culinary Research Development focuses on creating and testing new recipes and culinary concepts, Food Scientists analyze food properties, safety, and quality. Both roles often collaborate but serve different primary functions within the food industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Research Development jobs in Atlanta, GA?

The most popular types of Culinary Research Development jobs in Atlanta, GA are:

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Research Development jobs in Atlanta, GA?

For Culinary Research Development jobs in Atlanta, GA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Culinary Research Development job openings in Atlanta, GA as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,115 per year, or $25.1 per hour.

Business Development Manager, Away from Home Sales-Commercial Chain Accounts

Atlanta, GA • Remote

J.M. Smucker Company
Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


J.M. Smucker rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Your Opportunity as Business Development Manager, Away from Home Sales-Commercial Chain Accounts

In this role you will be responsible for delivering top-line sales & bottom-line profit targets for the commercial national chain foodservice account channel. You will have individual accountability for developing, executing, overseeing, and leading business activities with assigned Top 300 national chain foodservice accounts and targets to meet brand objectives and sales plan. You will develop, foster, and own the business relationship building strategic sales plans and managing trade spend. You will also leverage broker management to drive region chain execution in the foodservice segment to achieve sales objectives and KPI's within the Away From Home Strategic Business Area (SBA).

Location: Preference for Candidates residing in the following places: Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Orlando, FL; or within the Eastern US and reside near a major airport.

Work Arrangements: Working from home office with up to 60% expected travel.

In this role your primary responsibilities will include:

Business Development

  • Achieve assigned volume and margin business plan objectives for Food and Beverage categories supporting SBA plan targets.
  • Support the cross-functional development of sales plans, strategies, objectives, policies, and procedures for Smucker business with customers that support the overall business unit objectives.
  • Identify and make recommendations concerning changes in market, industry and/or competitive situations that offer opportunities for profitable growth.
  • Manage Trade and departmental spend budgets.
  • Manage financial business aspects to include P&L statements and margin targets for assigned accounts.
  • Proficiency in multiple technology and systems, trade, SDS, CRM, ShowPad, etc.
  • Lead region chain account initiatives and targets supporting the broker to include quarterly and annual KPI's.
  • Responsible for maintaining existing business (retention), development of new business across current and new customer base (acquisition), and execution against customer and segment objectives.

Customer Development

  • Create and execute defined annual customer business plans with specific growth objectives tied to strategic categories and SBA objectives in beverage and food portfolios.
  • Contract development, negotiation, and management for renewals of current business and new business against assigned accounts.
  • Plan and execute quarterly business reviews with assigned accounts or as required to drive business and build relationships at various levels with accounts.
  • Build broad and strong layered top-down relationships within chain accounts throughout the organization to include Supply Chain, Marketing, and Culinary wiring.
  • Cross functional within Smucker and customer (Legal, QA, Customer Marketing, Channel Commercialization, Accounting and Revenue Growth Management).
  • Deal with all management levels at the assigned customer to optimize customer relationships and sales results.
  • Customer headquarters and field management to include (as necessary) purchasing, marketing, culinary, R&D, operations, senior executives, and field operations.
  • Achieve established growth and profitability targets for customer portfolio including P&L input and review.

Business Planning and Analyses

  • Analyze business to discover new ways to penetrate existing business and acquire new Top 300 National Chain Foodservice Accounts.
  • Execute Top 301-600 Region Chain Foodservice Account strategy supporting our broker chain account network.
  • Own Annual Joint Business Planning, Quarterly Business Reviews and other meetings.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree.
  • 3+ years managing National Chain Foodservice Account business (including knowledge of the industry, national chain account customers, products, and competition).
  • Understanding of Foodservice Supply Chain customer's needs and opportunities.
  • Established experience with Broker Management.
  • Strong Negotiation skills.
  • Ability to apply strategic thinking and problem solving.
  • Travel requirements up to 60% of the time managing face-to-face customer relationships.
  • Must reside near a major airport.

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TheRight Placefor You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in ourBasic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

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We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.


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