Research Development Chef Jobs in North Carolina

Description:

About Plat du Jour (PDJ)

Plat du Jour (PDJ) is a precision meal platform producing high-quality, ready-to-eat meals and components at scale. PDJ operates at the intersection of culinary excellence and operational discipline, combining chef-driven food with the consistency, structure, and efficiency of a food manufacturing environment. Accurate, compliant, and consumer-friendly nutrition labeling is a core component of our product quality and regulatory compliance — and this role is the person responsible for getting it right on every SKU we produce.

Position Overview

PDJ is seeking a knowledgeable and detail-oriented part-time Nutritionist to develop, verify, and maintain FDA and USDA -compliant nutrition facts labels for all products in our current and rotating menu lineup. This role is responsible for ensuring that every PDJ product label accurately reflects its nutritional content in accordance with applicable federal labeling regulations, and that all nutrition data is updated as recipes change, ingredients shift, or new products are introduced.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with nutrition label creation for packaged or prepared foods, is proficient in nutrient analysis software, and understands FDA and USDA food labeling requirements under 21 CFR Part 101. This is a part-time, project-oriented role with ongoing responsibilities tied to PDJ's menus and new product development through Research & Development.

Requirements:

Key Responsibilities:

Nutrition Label Development & Compliance

Develop accurate, FDA-compliant Nutrition Facts labels for all PDJ products, including current menu items and any new products introduced through Research & Development

Calculate and verify nutrient values for each recipe using approved nutrient analysis software and USDA nutrient databases

Ensure all nutrition labels comply with FDA labeling regulations under 21 CFR Part 101, including serving size, daily value percentages, required nutrient declarations, and allergen statements

Review and update existing nutrition labels whenever recipe formulations, ingredients, or portion sizes change

Maintain a complete, organized library of nutrition facts data and label files for all current and archived PDJ products

Verify label accuracy prior to any new product launch or menu rotation to ensure compliance before products reach customers

Menu & R&D Support

Partner with the Production Manager / Sous Chef and Research & Development Chef to obtain accurate recipe formulations, ingredient specifications, and portion weights for all products requiring nutritional analysis

Analyze and produce nutrition facts data for all recipes on PDJ menu sku, updating labels on a rolling basis as the menu cycles

Support the R&D Chef in evaluating the nutritional profile of new recipes during development, providing label data in advance of production approval

Flag any significant nutritional changes in updated or reformulated recipes to the R&D Chef and leadership

Ingredient & Allergen Accuracy

Review ingredient lists for accuracy, completeness, and correct allergen declarations in coordination with Procurement and Production

Ensure all major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame) are properly declared on all product labels in compliance with FALCPA and FASTER Act requirements

Partner with the Quality Assurance Manager to align allergen labeling with the facility's allergen control program and cross-contact protocols

Communicate any ingredient substitutions or formulation changes that may affect allergen declarations to the QA Manager and Production team promptly

Documentation & Recordkeeping

Maintain organized and current nutrition label records for all PDJ SKUs, including version history and dates of revision

Document the data sources, software, and methodology used for each nutritional analysis to support regulatory review or third-party audit needs

Support label review processes for any co-manufacturing, retail, or wholesale product lines as PDJ's product portfolio expands

Perform other duties as assigned