Job Description
Alexander Steele Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with a leading food manufacturing business in the search for a Development Chef to join their growing Innovation team.
This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and passionate food professional who enjoys turning ideas into reality. Working closely with customers and internal stakeholders, you'll be responsible for developing innovative food concepts, creating inspiring culinary solutions and bringing products successfully from concept through to launch.
The Role
As Development Chef, you'll play a key role in driving innovation across the business, combining culinary expertise with commercial awareness to develop products that meet customer and market demands.
Key responsibilities include:
* Creating and developing new food concepts in line with customer briefs and market trends
* Translating ideas into commercially viable products ready for launch
* Preparing and presenting products to customers through tastings, demonstrations and presentations
* Researching emerging food trends, ingredients and consumer insights
* Working closely with Commercial, Technical, NPD and Operations teams throughout the development process
* Supporting factory trials and product scale-up activities
* Building strong relationships with customers and acting as a key point of contact during development projects
* Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation across existing product portfolios
About You
We're keen to speak with candidates who have:
* Previous experience as a Development Chef, Innovation Chef, NPD Chef or similar role within food manufacturing
* A genuine passion for food, ingredients and culinary innovation
* Experience working directly with customers and presenting concepts confidently
* Strong knowledge of food trends and market developments
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
* The ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
* A food-related qualification or relevant industry experience
* A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel when required
What's on Offer?
* Competitive salary and benefits package
* Opportunity to join a growing and innovative food business
* Highly creative, customer-facing role
* Exposure to exciting development projects and major customer accounts
* Supportive team environment with opportunities for career progression
If you're a passionate food innovator looking for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.