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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative food concepts and drive product development in a dynamic culinary role.
- Company: Join a century-old European food group known for sustainability and great-tasting products.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, bonuses, car allowance, and a range of exciting perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a purpose-driven team where your culinary creativity can make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 3+ years as a Culinary Development Chef in food manufacturing or retail required.
- Other info: Opportunity to represent the company at events and collaborate with diverse teams.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Company
Our client is a highly successful 100+ year European food group, producing market-leading ingredients sold across Grocery Retail, Foodservice and to Food Manufacturers. As a family business, they’ve grown into a global leader through continuous investment in agriculture, innovation, and a passion for delivering great-tasting products. Recognised as a Great Place to Work, this purpose-driven organisation is built on strong values, sustainability, and care — for people, the planet, and the food we enjoy. This is an exciting opportunity to join a company where tradition meets innovation, and where your contribution can truly make a difference.
The Role
Working as part of the Channel Marketing Team, this is an exciting, extremely creative and pivotal role that will steer the future direction and sustainable growth of our client’s added-value product portfolio – driving innovation strategy to new heights. As the company’s culinary ambassador, you will be responsible for identifying food trends on flavours and cooking occasions ahead of the curve and turning them into actionable concepts. Collaborating with internal colleagues within Development, Marketing, and Commercial teams in UK and France, you will spearhead NPD to bring new product formulations and innovation concepts to life. You’ll translate consumer insights and competitor intelligence into inspiring culinary concepts suitable for our Industrial, Retail and Foodservice channels. Bringing viable, profitable ideas to market, you’ll develop, test and refine application recipes across multiple categories (e.g. chilled, ready meals, bakery, plant-based, etc.)
This position requires you to wear more than just your chef’s hat. ‘Front of house’ you’ll represent the business at customer meetings, trade events and with industry bodies (such as the Craft Guild of Chefs). Whilst also managing in-house activities such as tastings, presentations, market analysis and supporting marketing collateral like photoshoots. This is a really exciting role, with the platform to make a big difference by driving profitable sales growth and implementing high standards of commercially driven, innovative food solutions.
About You
Most importantly, you are a dedicated foodie with a wide-reaching, fun, engaging and dynamic personality. On the food solution development front, you have at least 3 years’ experience of working at Culinary Development Chef level, within either an added value food manufacturer, grocery retailer or major food distributor ie Brakes/Bidfood, a pub group, a hotel group or one of the leading high street QSR players. You love working with suppliers and/or customers developing food solution ideas, taking food concepts to the next level and you are never happier than being ‘in the kitchen’, making the next food magic happen – this is what we want you to bring to the table within this exciting role. We’re keen to learn more about your success stories – especially those innovative culinary product solutions currently thriving in major grocery retail or foodservice channels.
This is a strategically important role, and we are seeking a uniquely talented Commercial Culinary Chef to help shape its future.
If this sounds like you, please forward your CV, along with your current benefits package details, quoting reference MS/2555 to [emailprotected]. Or simply give Mark Smith a call and kick off with the first interview Q&A on 07747 847214.
Closing Date for applications: 8th June 2025
Culinary Development Chef - FMCG employer: JR United Kingdom
Contact Detail:
JR United Kingdom Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Culinary Development Chef - FMCG
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest food trends and innovations in the FMCG sector. Being able to discuss current culinary trends and how they can be applied to the company's product portfolio will show your passion and expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food industry, especially those involved in culinary development. Attend trade events or culinary workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and learn more about the company’s culture and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your previous success stories in culinary development. Think of specific examples where you've driven innovation or created successful food solutions, as these will be key talking points in your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your collaborative skills by discussing how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Highlighting your ability to work alongside marketing and commercial teams will align well with the role's requirements.
We think you need these skills to ace Culinary Development Chef - FMCG
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your culinary experience, especially in product development and innovation. Emphasise any relevant roles you've held in food manufacturing or retail, and showcase specific achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for food and innovation. Discuss your experience in identifying food trends and developing new products, and explain how you can contribute to the company's goals. Be sure to mention your collaborative skills and any successful projects you've led.
Showcase Your Creativity: In your application, include examples of innovative culinary concepts you've developed. If possible, attach a portfolio or links to any relevant projects, tastings, or presentations that demonstrate your ability to bring ideas to life.
Highlight Your Industry Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of current food trends and market dynamics in your application. Mention any insights you've gained from working with suppliers or customers, and how these experiences have shaped your approach to culinary development.
How to prepare for a job interview at JR United Kingdom
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your love for culinary arts during the interview. Share personal anecdotes about your experiences in the kitchen and how they have shaped your approach to food development. This will help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate that you are genuinely enthusiastic about the role.
✨Highlight Your Innovative Ideas
Prepare to discuss specific examples of innovative culinary products or concepts you've developed in the past. Focus on how these ideas were successful in the market, and be ready to explain the thought process behind them. This will showcase your ability to drive innovation, which is crucial for this role.
✨Understand Market Trends
Research current food trends and consumer preferences before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you can leverage these insights to create new product formulations. Showing that you are ahead of the curve will impress the interviewers and demonstrate your strategic thinking.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to share examples of successful collaborations from your previous roles. Highlight how you effectively communicated and worked with others to bring culinary concepts to life. This will illustrate your ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment.
