New Product Development Chef (Arabic Cuisine)

About Calo 

Launched in Bahrain in November of 2019, Calo is on a mission to make healthy easy. We’re a team of dedicated people driving this mission by providing better, faster, and cheaper ways to access food through technology.

Role Overview

To function as a New Product Development (NPD) Chef for Calo and contribute to long-term food product development that aligns with the organizational goals and objectives.  e.g. new product development and the expansion of existing product lines. You’ll be working closely with the R&D team to formulate and test new recipes and to improve existing recipes. 

Main Responsibilities:

1. Product Development:
   • Design and develop new Arabic meal options that meet nutritional standards and cater to various dietary preferences (e.g., vegan, gluten-free, low-carb).
   • Formulate traditional Arabic 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 arabic  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. Documentation and Reporting:
   • Maintain detailed records of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, product testing, Training records and operational audits.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Scaling
   • scale  the Arabic Dishes effectively with very little variance in flavor profile, taste and texture of the original recipe.
   • Document all scaling standards and with a picture process for the training team to build training documents.
   • Train the Training team on all the Arabic scaled dishes.

Ideal Candidate:

Qualifications

• Culinary Arts degree or equivalent qualification
• Minimum of 9-12 years experience in Arabic Cuisine.
• Must be a proficient communicator in English and Arabic.
• 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