Job Advert
Development Chef – Soups & Sauces
The Compleat Food Group
Bristol
£29,000 – £35,000 per annum
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm - Degree of flexibility and will require a driving licence to helps support at other locations, events etc.
Full UK Driving Licence Required
About The Compleat Food Group
The Compleat Food Group (TCFG) is one of the UK's leading chilled food manufacturers, producing high-quality, innovative food for
major retailers and some of the UK's best-known brands. Our teams are passionate about great food, continuous improvement and
doing the right thing.
We're now looking for a Development Chef to join our Bristol site, supporting innovation across our Soups & Sauces category and
working closely with NPD, Category and cross-functional teams to deliver exciting, market-ready products.
The Role
Reporting to the Head Chef, the Development Chef will play a key role in developing and innovating chilled food products across
multiple customers. You'll be hands-on in the kitchen creating samples, developing and costing recipes, supporting customer briefs
and presentations, and helping take concepts from idea through to launch.
This role is Bristol-based, with regular travel to Ebbw Vale and occasional support at other sites, events and customer activity —
so a full UK driving licence is essential.
Food Categories
Bristol: Soups & Sauces
Ebbw Vale: Soups & Dips
Key Responsibilities
Product Development & Innovation
Support the site's NPD and EPD agenda, delivering concepts on time and to cost
Develop innovative, commercially viable products aligned to customer briefs
Drive food values across the site and wider business
Customer Briefs & Presentations
Interpret customer briefs to deliver compliant, on-trend concepts
Work with NPD Managers, Technologists and Procurement on ingredients and costings
Confidently present products internally and externally
Documentation & Feasibility
Build and maintain recipes using Point 74 Recipe Professor or site systems
Support feasibility sessions, benchmarking and nutritional interpretation
Prepare materials for internal and external presentations
Market Insight & Trends
Keep up to date with food trends, competitor activity and new launches
Support benchmarking panels, food shows and blue-sky innovation activity
Teamwork & Site Support
Work collaboratively with chefs, technologists and cross-functional teams
Support development activity at Ebbw Vale and other sites when required
Health, Safety & General Duties
Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and H&S
Support customer visits and site food standards
Occasional flexibility to support evenings, weekends or launches
What We're Looking For
Experience
Experience in a Development Chef or similar food-focused role (preferred)
Strong food background; restaurant experience desirable
FMCG or food manufacturing exposure is advantageous
Skills & Attributes
Strong cookery skills with a passion for innovation
Well organised with good planning skills
Confident communicator with strong presentation skills
Team player who can also work independently
Qualifications
Catering college qualification desirable (not essential)
Why Join Us?
At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits
Designed To Support Your Lifestyle, Wellbeing, And Career Growth
Financial & Lifestyle Benefits
Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
33 days' annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
Holiday Discounts Available via our online retail discount platform
Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
EV charging points - available at selected sites
Health & Wellbeing
24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise programmes, online classes and multiple gym discounts
Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of meal plans and healthy recipes
Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
Career Growth & Development
Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
Industry leading company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
Recognition through Club Compleat rewards portal
Community & Culture
2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
Charity initiatives and fundraising events
Team socials to connect and celebrate together
Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat
New baby gift for new parents