Farmer’s Fridge makes fruits and vegetables accessible and approachable for everyone. We offer a variety of fresh, healthy, ready-to-eat meals and snacks through our fresh food vending machines, wholesale partners, and our office pantry solution — providing chef-curated meals to customers within seconds. Today, we operate a network of Fridges and partner with clients nationwide in high-foot-traffic areas, such as airports, hospitals, universities, and large office buildings — where there is limited accessibility to fresh, healthy, grab-n-go options.

We care deeply about what we’re creating and aspire to make sure our customers feel that through every touchpoint. This shows up in many ways across the business. We are committed to prioritizing food safety, we are passionate about product quality, we value our employees, we champion the best idea no matter where it comes from, and we’re committed to making an overall positive impact as we scale. 

About this Role:

As an Associate R&D Chef, you’ll be a key player on our Menu Development team, supporting both the creative development of new recipes and the commercialization of those recipes into production. You’ll split your time between our corporate office—where you’ll help ideate, test, and refine bench-top recipes—and our production facility, where you’ll support scaling and implementation. This role is perfect for someone who’s passionate about food, curious about how things work behind the scenes, and excited to bring craveable, consistent, and scalable meals to life.

What You’ll Do:

Recipe Development (Corporate Office):

• Collaborate with the Product Development Manager to brainstorm, create, and iterate on new menu items that align with our brand and nutritional guardrails
• Develop and prepare bench-top samples for internal tastings and feedback
• Support documentation of recipes, including prep instructions and organoleptic descriptions. 
• Help with competitive benchmarking and sensory evaluations
• Organize and maintain the R&D kitchen space, ingredients, and equipment
   

Commercialization (Production Facility):

• Collaborate with the R&D Process Engineer to support commercializing new products as well as renovating existing products
• Support scale-up of new recipes from kitchen to production, working closely with the front line Operations team
• Execute commercialization trials including yield measurements, portion tool validation, and labor studies
• Audit assembly and processing rooms for compliance with specifications, quality, and consistency standards
• Assist with continuous improvement and cost savings initiatives, including waste reduction and process refinements
• Assist in identifying, analyzing, and resolving problems related to equipment, processes, or product quality

What Your Background May Look Like:

• 1–2 years of experience in the food industry (culinary, catering, recipe development, or food manufacturing)
• Culinary degree or formal culinary training a plus, but not required
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Demonstrates ownership and the ability to work effectively without close supervision
• Highly organized with a sharp eye for detail and a drive for consistency
• Adaptable to both kitchen and production settings; must be able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs as part of daily tasks.
• Comfortable in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and/or Microsoft Office
• Passionate about food, curious by nature, and eager to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment
   

Location & Schedule:

• This is a multi-site role split between our corporate office R&D Kitchen (located in the Fulton Market) and our production facility (located near Midway Airport). Flexibility to work on-site at both locations and travel between the two is required.
• Work location will vary depending on the week, but most likely M, F at the production facility and Tues - Thurs at our corporate office. 

The base salary range for this role is $40,000-$45,000. The base pay offered will be determined by factors such as experience, skills, training, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements.

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for company performance-based bonuses and equity.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans available)
• 401(k) with immediate employer match vesting
• Paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
• Paid sabbatical after 5 years of service
• Employee discounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Benefits at Farmer's Fridge:

In This Together - We stay connected, whether in person or virtually. We encourage business transparency through monthly town hall meetings and weekly financial updates. We set out to make the best product on the market, and we believe we’ve done it. We value your input in the new menu creation process. From regular tasting panels, where employees provide new menu feedback. 

Happier Workdays - Each day at work should fill you with joy. We're a fun and passionate group, and we don't take ourselves too seriously. Bring your unique self to work, dress comfortably, and always feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. We encourage curiosity; there's no hierarchy here when we're all swapping ideas.  

Never run on empty - Daily Farmer's Fridge meal and office snacks are just some of the offerings to make sure you aren't distracted by a growling stomach. Recharge with our paid sabbatical program after five years of service. 

Innovate & Elevate - We're all teachers and learners. You'll grow and help grow the company through cross-functional collaboration, open access to leadership, and regular business updates. You have a direct impact on the company’s bottom line. You can also impact your bottom line by participating in our 401(k) plan that includes a company match with immediate vesting.

Farmer’s Fridge Diversity Statement:

"Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Farmer’s Fridge, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.”

Farmer’s Fridge is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including hiring, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. View our disclosures related to External Agencies and Applicants below: https://www.farmersfridge.com/careerdisclosures