Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead culinary innovation and menu development at Elior, inspiring chefs to achieve excellence.
- Company: Elior is a top UK contract caterer, dedicated to enriching lives through food.
- Benefits: Enjoy free lunches, flexible working hours, 33 days holiday, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Join a multi-award-winning team committed to creativity, sustainability, and making a social impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in culinary roles with strong leadership and menu development experience required.
- Other info: Elior values diversity and inclusion, fostering a supportive work environment for all.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Our offices are based in London and Macclesfield, linked via good public transport routes. We offer comprehensive learning & development opportunities, and an engaging work atmosphere. They are sociable and open spaces with fantastic restaurant / catering facilities. Lunch subsidies / free refreshments and snacks are offered.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Food Development Director to join our team here at Elior!
You’ll lead the way in boosting Elior’s culinary reputation and innovation. Manage menu development and work closely with key teams to ensure creativity and New Product Development stay at the forefront. You’ll inspire and motivate chefs across all levels, driving excellence while ensuring compliance with allergen legislation.
If you’re passionate about food, innovation, and leading teams, this is the perfect role to make your mark!
What you’ll be doing…
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and lead Elior’s food strategy, creating annual menu development plans that align with market trends and business objectives.
- Inspire and Lead the Culinary Team: Motivate and inspire chefs to achieve excellence in food quality, creativity, and presentation, fostering innovation across the business.
- Menu Innovation: Create commercially viable menus aligned with market demands, collaborating with leadership and marketing to ensure successful rollout.
- Team Development: Identify training needs and opportunities for culinary teams to foster continuous growth and skill development.
- Compliance & Process Management: Ensure all menus comply with allergen legislation and maintain clear operational processes, including a centralised menu database.
- Collaboration: Work closely with procurement, operations, and chefs to ensure cost-effective ingredients and alignment with overall food strategy.
- Market Insights & Trends: Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities, ensuring Elior stays ahead of the curve.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Support sustainability goals by designing menus that reduce carbon footprints and align with Elior’s Net Zero commitments.
- Project Support: Contribute to UK and group-wide strategic projects by providing menu and recipe expertise.
What can you bring?
- Minimum 5+ years of culinary experience, with a strong background in menu development and food innovation.
- Proven ability to lead teams and inspire creativity.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and deliver under pressure.
- Experience in food regulation compliance, including allergen legislation.
- Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and StarChef.
- Track record of delivering innovative solutions that drive sales and enhance margins.
Personal Attributes:
- A strong, visionary leader with the ability to inspire and motivate.
- Results-oriented with a passion for driving innovation and commercial success.
- A collaborative team player with superb interpersonal skills.
- Adaptable and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Our way of saying thank you
At Elior, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel appreciated & rewarded, which is why we offer generous rewards & benefits in exchange for your dedicated efforts.
- FREE On-Site Lunches: Savor delicious and healthy meals, on us, every day at work
- Flexible Working: Enjoy the freedom to balance work and personal life with our flexible working hours
- Holiday Allowance: Rest and relax with 33 days holiday
- Family Leave: Prioritise your family commitments with our family leave options designed to support you during important times
- Paid Charity Leave: Make a difference in your community with paid time off to volunteer for your favourite causes
- Opportunities for Career Progression: Grow and advance your career with us, supported by continuous learning and development opportunities
- Comprehensive Wellbeing Benefits: Access mental health support and a range of wellbeing benefits to keep you feeling your best, both professionally and personally
- Life Assurance & Pension Schemes: Secure your future with our life assurance and workplace pension schemes
- Exclusive Discounts & Perks: Enjoy discounts and cashback on entertainment, leisure activities, and much more, alongside our popular cycle-to-work scheme
Why it’s great to work for us…
Elior is a multi-award-winning people business and one of the UK’s leading contract caterers, with over 10,000 colleagues operating across a diverse range of sectors including:
- Workplaces & Office Space
- Sporting Venues & Stadium
- Attraction & Heritage Sites
- Public Sector & Defence
- Health, Care & Hospitals
- Schools, Colleges & Universities
Along with our purpose of enriching lives everywhere, every day, we’re committed to an inclusive culture and want our people to feel appreciated, supported, and fulfilled.
That’s why 87% of colleagues tell us how proud they are to work for us!
At Elior, we’re committed to creating a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging for all.
Ultimately, we believe it’s our differences that make us stronger and enrich our work environment, which in turn makes Elior a great place to work!
By celebrating equality and diversity we’ve created a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to do their best work, where colleagues fulfil their potential and have the opportunity to succeed.
If you need any support or adjustments during the application process, just let us know. We’re happy to help.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Food Development Director employer: Elior Uk
Contact Detail:
Elior Uk Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Development Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Elior's culinary philosophy and recent menu innovations. This will help you speak confidently about how your vision aligns with their goals during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide insights into the company culture and what it takes to succeed as a Food Development Director at Elior.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest food trends and sustainability practices. Being able to discuss these topics will demonstrate your commitment to innovation and align with Elior’s sustainability initiatives.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in menu development and compliance with food regulations. This will showcase your leadership skills and experience relevant to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Development Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your culinary experience, particularly in menu development and food innovation. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to inspire teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food and innovation. Discuss how your vision aligns with Elior's goals and how you can contribute to their culinary reputation and sustainability initiatives.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasize your communication and stakeholder management skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully balanced multiple priorities and delivered results under pressure in previous roles.
Highlight Compliance Knowledge: Since compliance with allergen legislation is crucial, make sure to mention your experience in food regulation compliance. This will show that you understand the importance of safety and quality in food development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Elior Uk
✨Show Your Passion for Food Innovation
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for culinary creativity and innovation during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've led menu development or introduced new food concepts in your previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading and inspiring culinary teams. Discuss how you motivate chefs to achieve excellence and foster a culture of creativity and collaboration within the kitchen.
✨Understand Compliance and Regulations
Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of food regulations, particularly allergen legislation. Show that you understand the importance of compliance in menu development and how it impacts customer safety.
✨Stay Ahead of Market Trends
Research current market trends and competitor activities in the food industry. Be ready to share insights on how you can help Elior stay ahead of the curve with innovative menu ideas that align with market demands.
