New Product Development (NPD) Chef

About Calo
Calo provides personalized meal plans for busy people through nutritional algorithms, built with love by chefs, nutritionists, and software engineers 💚

Launched in Bahrain in 2019, we have since expanded to 5 countries in the region, delivered millions of meals to our customers, and launched our very own Grab & Go Cafe concepts.

We're on a noble mission to make healthy easy. We think this is one of the most important problems to tackle in our world today. We have global ambitions - no small thinking here.

Role Overview

We’re looking for a star player to work closely with the cooking partner, guide and train them, develop new meals, and ensure general customer satisfaction with the food.

Main Responsibilities

1. Product Development:
   • Design and develop new healthy meal options that meet nutritional standards and cater to various dietary preferences (e.g., vegan, gluten-free, low-carb).
   • Formulate recipes that balance flavor, texture, and nutritional value while adhering to cost and production constraints.
   • Oversee the creation and Modification of dishes, ensuring alignment with health and wellness trends in conjunction with the R&D team.
2. Market Research and Trend Analysis:
   • Stay abreast of the latest trends in healthy eating, dietary needs, and consumer preferences.
   • Analyze customer feedback and market data to continuously improve and innovate meal offerings.
3. Collaboration and Coordination:
   • Collaborate with nutritionists and dietitians to ensure meal options are nutritionally balanced and meet dietary guidelines.
   • Coordinate with suppliers and procurement teams to source high-quality, health-conscious ingredients.
4. Auditing and Operations:
   • Conduct regular audits of the product development and meal production processes to ensure adherence to quality standards and operational efficiency.
   • Identify areas for improvement within the development and production workflows and implement corrective actions as necessary.
   • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of new product launches and operational procedures, making recommendations for enhancements.
   • Train the Team on all new recipes, meals and components so they can effectively execute.
5. Documentation and Reporting:
   • Maintain detailed records of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, product testing, Training records and operational audits.
6. Quality and Compliance:
   • Ensure that all new meal products meet company quality standards and comply with relevant health and safety regulations.
   • Implement and monitor quality control procedures to maintain high standards of food safety and product consistency.
7. Innovation and Creativity:
   • Foster a culture of culinary creativity and innovation within the team, experimenting with new ingredients, cooking techniques, and presentation styles.
   • Develop unique and appealing meal options that enhance the subscription service’s value proposition and attract new customers.

Ideal Candidate

Qualifications

• Culinary Arts degree or equivalent qualification
• Minimum of 9-12 years experience, with a minimum of 3 years Working Within an NPD kitchen environment.
• Must be a proficient communicator in English 
• Previous experience in a food manufacturing facility is a plus
• Obsessed with customer’s feedback and satisfaction

Knowledge & Competency

• Has had team-leading experiences and would be able to train the kitchen team
• Up-to-date with culinary trends and optimized kitchen processes
• Strong time-management skills
• Capable of delegating & managing multiple task
• Working knowledge of various computer software programs (MS Office, restaurant management software, POS, MMS )
• Advanced knowledge of healthy cooking techniques and nutritional requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and launching innovative meal products.
• Strong creative and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Proven ability to conduct audits and optimize operational processes.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Proficiency in food safety, quality standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and project management skills.

Personality

• Strong communicator 
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Eager to learn 
• Friendly and pleasant personality that can lead with empathy and patience 

Perks that come with this role: 

• The chance to build something extraordinary from the ground up
• Access to our mouthwatering meal subscriptions
• Competitive benefits and stock options
• Working with driven and extremely passionate colleagues in a growth-oriented culture