Job Description
Overview:\n\nThe Junior Development Chef works closely with the Product Development team and broader team on site to support the development and creation of new products and improve existing recipes to achieve the innovation plan for the site. This role will involve hands-on development, experimentation and testing to ensure products are of the highest standard whilst meeting operational, quality and nutritional requirements.\n\nThis will be across a multiple customer base and private label for the chilled snack food category.\n\nResponsibilities:\n\nSupport New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) to required cost and timescales.\n\nAssist on varying customer briefs to create and deliver innovative products that meet customer and market requirements.\n\nAssist recipe building and formulation against guidelines.\n\nGather information required and present products to internal teams, which includes benchmarking sessions, pre submission panels, cost reduction.\n\nIdentify new trends and maintain current products to deliver newness to the category by understanding the market.\n\nCommunicate with teams including NPD, purchasing and finance to interpret briefs, source new ingredients and carry out costings.\n\nWork with the procurement team to source quality ingredients and stay informed about new suppliers and innovative ingredients that could improve product offerings.\n\nConduct regular tastings of product samples to assess quality, flavour, texture, and overall appeal. Provide feedback and make necessary adjustments to recipes.\n\nWork on refining production methods, testing products at scale, and ensuring they meet technical specifications and quality standards.\n\nSupport the transition of new products from development into full production, working closely with the production team to ensure smooth handover and consistency.\n\nSupport the Process Manager with factory trials.\n\nGeneral kitchen duties – opening/closing procedures, general hygiene, managing documentation, stock control.\n\nEnsure all new products meet food safety and regulatory standards, including allergen management, nutritional labelling, and compliance with industry regulations.\n\nRequirements:\n\nLooking to start or continue career as a Development Chef\n\nFood experience background in restaurants or food manufacturing\n\nValid driving licence\n\nAt least 1-2 years of experience in a product development or culinary role, ideally within a manufacturing or food production environment.\n\nA degree or diploma in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or a related field (preferred).\n\nGood cookery skills with flare for innovation and creativity\n\nOrganisation and planning\n\nCommunicating at different levels of seniority\n\nPresentation skills\n\nBasic computing skills\n\nTeam player but can work independently\n\nStrong knowledge of pastry techniques and culinary principles, particularly within the chilled food sector.\n\nAbility to experiment with flavours and ingredients to create new and exciting products.\n\nAbility to work collaboratively within a cross-functional team and communicate effectively with colleagues and suppliers.\n\nFamiliarity with food safety standards, including HACCP and allergen management.\n\nGood organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.\n\nOur Referral Incentive:\n\nDue to the high amount of interest that we receive for each of our roles unfortunately we cannot respond to each application individually, therefore if you do not hear back from us you have not been shortlisted for this role.
Please continue to check our website for any other roles which may be of interest.\n\nWe offer a £500 referral if you introduce someone we place - see our website for details\n\nWe regret that this client is not prepared to sponsor work permit or work permit transfer applications. Candidates must be able to prove their eligibility to work in the UK