• Jr. Culinary Innovation Chef

    Wawa, Inc. (IA)


    Job Description

    Job Title: Jr. Culinary Innovation Chef

    Department: Marketing

    **Position Summary** :

     

    Are you a beginner culinary trailblazer with a passion for creativity and a pulse on emerging food trends? Wawa is looking for a **Jr.** **Culinary Innovation Chef** to lead the charge in crafting bold, crave-worthy products that define our brand and delight our customers.

     

    In this dynamic role, you’ll collaborate closely with our forward-thinking Product Strategy Team to turn big ideas into irresistible realities—developing Wawa-branded offerings that align with our vision and resonate with diverse, evolving tastes. From flavor innovation to cultural relevance, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the next generation of menu items with a spotlight on exciting demographics such as the Hispanic community, Gen Z, and guests seeking specific dietary lifestyles.

     

    This is more than recipe creation—it’s culinary storytelling, cultural connection, and brand elevation all in one. If you’re driven by flavor, fueled by insight, and ready to make a meaningful impact at one of the region's most beloved brands, we’d love to cook up something amazing with you.

    Principal Duties:

    + **Lead accelerated development** of new recipes and product innovation that supports core brands and customer requests. Work independently to move assigned projects through the process to meet goals.

    + **Create and test new innovative recipes** and products for customers within specific regions and demographics and fit within core brands and existing operations.

    + **Utilize formal Product Development Process** when creating new products. Revise recipes and formulas using customer and associate feedback from sensory events and in-store tests, as well as sales and profitability data.

    + **Stay up to date on competitors** , culinary trends, and customer preferences.

    + **Evaluate products** on attributes such as flavor, texture, and appearance and communicate feedback to team & vendor partners.

    + **Collaborate cross-functionally** through each stage of the Product Development Process.

    + **Manage and maintain** details for assigned projects including specification development, recipe costs and portions, and quality control checks.

    Essential Functions:

    + Ability to work well individually as well as in a team environment

    + Excellent oral and written communication skills

    + Excellent customer service skills

    + Ability to work with little or no supervision

    + Detail oriented and strong organizational skills

    + Strong analytical and problem solving skills

    + Ability to handle multiple projects

    + Excellent interpersonal skills

    + Proven self-starter with demonstrated ability to make decisions

    + Solid leadership skills

    + Ability to evaluate and make recommendations on products or processes based on their sensorial attributes

    + Must possess strong culinary skills and working knowledge of new product development/product commercialization process

    **Basic Requirements** :

    + Degree in Culinary Arts, Certified Culinary Scientist, Certified Research Chef, or related field preferred.

    + Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

    + Fluent in Spanish a plus

     

    Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at [email protected] or 1-800-444-9292.

     

    Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.