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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative food products and manage culinary presentations for customers.
- Company: Join Bakkavor, the UK leader in fresh prepared food, supplying top retailers.
- Benefits: Enjoy life insurance, private medical cover, 25 days holiday, and more perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Previous experience in a similar role is preferred; passion for food is essential.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with a focus on wellbeing and career development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Ready to make your application? Please do read through the description at least once before clicking on Apply. Proud to deliver high quality products and develop a high-quality career.
Competitive salary: London, 37.5 hours per week, 08.30am - 5pm, Monday - Friday, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays. Excellent rewards package including:
- Life Insurance
- Short Term Bonus
- Private Medical Insurance
Why join us? We are constantly evolving, progressing and diversifying. And we want our people to do so too. For everyone to feel empowered, engaged and enabled. To create opportunities to move forward, climb higher and push for more.
About the role: A very exciting opportunity has arisen at our site in London for a Development Chef to work across a variety of retailers and categories. We are looking for a creative chef who has an enthusiasm and love of food.
Role Accountabilities:
- Business Communication: Has effective internal working relationships across key functions to support the Development process activity.
- Leadership: Manages and supports the team to effectively deliver the development activity to the highest standard.
- Customer: Manages hospitality for customer and high-profile visits. Customer support as required.
- Culinary: Has the ability to present product to internal and external customers. Demonstrates culinary knowledge, expertise, passion and flair. Is able to convert feedback into appropriate action.
- Product Innovation: Supports the customer pipeline through inspirational and innovative product and process ideation. Has the ability to translate food trends into relevant and commercially viable product development. Supports sector-led innovation opportunities.
- Business Knowledge: Fully understands relevant site capabilities and has an understanding of broader Group capabilities.
- Facilities: Responsible for ensuring the Development kitchen facility operates to a high standard.
- Product Development Cycle: Develops NPD and EPD, to an agreed quality and timescale, based on a strong understanding of all Development and commercial parameters. Seeks opportunities for margin enhancement.
- Behaviours: Creative, passionate, demonstrable flair and finesse, resilient, tenacious, positive, attention to detail, fast paced, alignment to BV values.
About you: Ideally, you will have previous experience of a similar role.
What you’ll receive: As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing a safe and rewarding environment for you to thrive in. This is why we work hard to deliver benefits and wellbeing offerings that are important to you. You’ll enjoy:
- Life Assurance (2.5 x salary)
- Private medical insurance
- Annual Bonus Scheme
- 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays as standard (may vary by role)
- Staff Shop
- Stakeholder Pension Scheme
- Discount & cashback platform
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Free health check
- Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of voluntary benefits (holiday purchase scheme, additional life assurance, dental & hospital cash plans)
- Salary sacrifice car lease scheme
- Free independent mortgage advice
- Discounted tutoring for children
- Access to financial learning tools and affordable loans via your salary
- Free car parking - Site dependant
Plus, a commitment to your wellbeing that includes emotional, physical and financial support services delivered by our fantastic team of wellbeing champions.
Proud to be Bakkavor. We are proud to be the market leader in the UK fresh prepared food industry. We supply meals, salads, desserts, pizza and bread to leading grocery retailers including Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. We are driven by the hard work and passion of our people and are delighted to offer a wide range of careers across our business - come and join our dedicated Bakkavor team!
Find out more and apply.
Development Chef employer: Bakkavor Group
Contact Detail:
Bakkavor Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the food industry, especially those who work in product development. Attend culinary events or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in food innovation.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your culinary creativity by developing a portfolio of your best recipes and dishes. This will not only demonstrate your skills but also your passion for food, which is crucial for a Development Chef role.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest food trends and consumer preferences. Being able to discuss these insights during interviews will show that you are proactive and knowledgeable about the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you handle feedback and adapt your culinary creations accordingly. Providing examples of past experiences where you've successfully implemented changes based on feedback will highlight your resilience and adaptability.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and required skills for the Development Chef position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Showcase Your Culinary Skills: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your culinary expertise and any relevant experience in product development. Include specific examples of innovative dishes or products you have created that demonstrate your creativity and passion for food.
Highlight Leadership Experience: If you have experience managing a team or leading projects, make sure to include this in your application. Discuss how you have supported team members and delivered high-quality results in previous roles.
Personalise Your Application: Address your application to the hiring manager if possible, and express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention why you want to work for Bakkavor specifically and how you can contribute to their mission of delivering high-quality products.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bakkavor Group
✨Show Your Culinary Passion
As a Development Chef, your love for food should shine through. Be prepared to discuss your culinary inspirations and any innovative dishes you've created. Share stories that highlight your creativity and flair in the kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Product Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with current food trends and be ready to discuss how you can translate these into commercially viable products. Highlight any previous experience with product development cycles and how you’ve successfully managed similar projects.
✨Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is key in this role. Be prepared to explain how you would manage relationships across different teams and support the development process. Use examples from past experiences where you successfully collaborated with others.
✨Prepare for Customer Interaction
Since you'll be managing hospitality for high-profile visits, think about how you would present products to customers. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently, showcasing your culinary expertise and ability to handle feedback constructively.
