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Chef
Product Development Chef
Hours: Monday – Friday | 8:30am – 5:00pm
Are you a passionate Junior Chef, Chef de Partie, or Sous Chef looking for a new challenge beyond traditional kitchen constraints? This is your opportunity to join our Research & Development team in New Product Development (NPD).
Building on your culinary expertise, you’ll work alongside experienced Development Chefs and Product Developers, creating innovative new food products for major retailers and brands while gaining commercial and technical insights—all within a structured, nine-to-five working day.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Product Development Chef, you’ll play a pivotal role in streamlining the NPD pipeline by:
- Preparing and producing kitchen samples for customer tastings and internal assessments.
- Creating repeat batches to ensure product consistency and reliability.
- Ordering, organising, and shopping for ingredients while managing stock rotation.
- Packaging and dispatching customer samples efficiently.
- Maintaining a clean, organised kitchen—ready for innovation at a moment’s notice.
- Supporting the development of new food concepts from early idea to supermarket shelf.
- Assisting in recipe development and product costing.
- Organising and participating in taste panels to refine formulations.
- Facilitating factory trials and supporting product launches.
- Collecting critical data during trials and helping complete product documentation.
- Collaborating closely with Technical, Operations, Procurement, and Commercial teams.
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What We’re Looking For
Ideal candidates will have:
- Demonstrated experience as a Chef, Commis Chef, Demi Chef, Chef de Partie, Sous Chef, or equivalent in a culinary environment.
- A passion for food, flavours, and innovation—with a creative problem-solving mindset.
- Interest in learning about food product manufacturing for major retailers.
- Strong organisational and communication skills, with a commitment to working collaboratively.
- Enthusiasm for learning new skills and advancing into commercial food industry roles.
- A full UK driving licence (preferred) to facilitate sample dispatch and site visits.
No prior experience in New Product Development is required—we’ll provide full training and support to help you thrive.
Why Join Us?
This isn’t just a career change; it’s a paradigm shift from traditional kitchen employment. By joining, you’ll:
✅ Master the complete NPD process—from concept to supermarket shelf. ✅ Work alongside experienced Development Chefs and Food Technologists, expanding your expertise. ✅ Gain hands-on experience in factory trials and product launches. ✅ Develop critical skills in commercial strategy, technical careers, and project management. ✅ Collaborate with leading UK food retailers and brands, contributing to innovative product lines. ✅ Build a long-term career in food innovation, manufacturing, or product development.
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Most importantly, you’ll acquire unique experience rarely found elsewhere, positioning you for opportunities in Development Chef, Product Innovation, or Food Manufacturing roles in the future.
What You’ll Get
Beyond exceptional career growth, you’ll benefit from:
- Monday to Friday working hours (8:30am – 5:00pm)—no evenings, weekends (unless occasional business needs arise), or split shifts.
- Ongoing training and development tailored to transform your career.
- Career progression within a supportive, collaborative team.
- A chance to pursure your food passion while transitioning to a lucrative, long-term industry role.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re a chef looking for a better work-life balance without losing your connection to food, this is your chance. Bring your skills, creativity, and passion—we’ll equip you with the tools to excel.
Apply today to start your journey into New Product Development.
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