Job Advert
Development Chef – Soups & Sauces
The Compleat Food Group – Bristol, £29,000–£35,000 per annum. Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm with flexibility. Requires a full UK driving licence to support other locations, events, etc.
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.
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 – a full UK driving licence is essential.
Food Categories
* Bristol: Soups & Sauces
* Ebbw Vale: Soups & Dips
Key Responsibilities
* Product Development & Innovation
o Support the site’s NPD and EPD agenda, delivering concepts on time and to cost.
o Develop innovative, commercially viable products aligned to customer briefs.
o Drive food values across the site and wider business.
* Customer Briefs & Presentations
o Interpret customer briefs to deliver compliant, on‑trend concepts.
o Work with NPD Managers, Technologists and Procurement on ingredients and costings.
o Confidently present products internally and externally.
* Documentation & Feasibility
o Build and maintain recipes using Point 74 Recipe Professor or site systems.
o Support feasibility sessions, benchmarking and nutritional interpretation.
o Prepare materials for internal and external presentations.
* Market Insight & Trends
o Keep up to date with food trends, competitor activity and new launches.
o Support benchmarking panels, food shows and blue‑sky innovation activity.
* Teamwork & Site Support
o Work collaboratively with chefs, technologists and cross‑functional teams.
o Support development activity at Ebbw Vale and other sites when required.
* Health, Safety & General Duties
o Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and H&S.
o Support customer visits and site food standards.
o Occasional flexibility to support evenings, weekends or launches.
What We’re Looking For
* Experience
o Experience in a Development Chef or similar food‑focused role (preferred).
o Strong food background; restaurant experience desirable.
o FMCG or food manufacturing exposure is advantageous.
* Skills & Attributes
o Strong cookery skills with a passion for innovation.
o Well organised with good planning skills.
o Confident communicator with strong presentation skills.
o Team player who can also work independently.
* Qualifications
o Catering college qualification desirable (not essential).
Why Join Us?
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 via our online retail discount platform.
* Enhanced retail discounts online and in‑store.
* Free product handouts across our sites.
* 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
* Personalised online learning platform (LMS).
* Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role.
* Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations.
* Industry‑leading Mentoring Scheme.
* Recognition through Club Compleat rewards portal.
Community & Culture
* 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter.
* 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.
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