Are you the kind of chef who doesn’t wait for a brief, but writes the future menu instead?
We’re looking for a commercially sharp, trend-obsessed NPD Development Chef who can turn insight into irresistible concepts. This is your chance to lead from the front end of innovation, creating bold ideas customers didn’t even know they needed yet.
Why This Role?
This isn’t about tweaking recipes. It’s about shaping what hits shelves next.
You’ll:
Lead front-end innovation, turning consumer insight into standout product concepts
Work directly with major retail customers - pitching, presenting, and influencing at senior level
Create bench samples that excite, inspire, and sell the vision
Spot gaps in the market and build concepts before the brief even exists
Travel across sites and customers, embedding best practice and building partnerships
What You’ll Be Doing
Build trusted relationships and act as a culinary ambassador in customer meetings, tastings, and reviews
Bring ideas to life with compelling storytelling, creative presentations, and high-impact samples
Stay ahead of trends, food, ingredients, tech (yes, including AI) - and turn them into commercial opportunities
Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure concepts are feasible, scalable, and commercially viable
Own the journey from idea → concept → development handover
What You Bring
Proven experience as a Development Chef in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment
Exceptional culinary skills with a creative, forward-thinking mindset
Confidence in front of customers - able to present, influence, and inspire
Strong commercial awareness and ability to juggle multiple projects at pace
A genuine passion for food trends, innovation, and pushing boundaries