Head of Food Development.

Head of Food Development.

Southampton Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead food and dining product strategy, development, and lifecycle management for P&O Cruises.
  • Company: Carnival UK operates P&O Cruises and Cunard, creating unforgettable holiday experiences for over 350 years.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, annual bonuses, employee discounts, and generous leave and wellbeing programs.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team to innovate dining concepts and enhance guest satisfaction on cruises.
  • Qualifications: Strong financial acumen and experience in high-volume food environments are essential.
  • Other info: This is a full-time, permanent role with opportunities for professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

Carnival UK is in search of a Senior Food and Dining Product Development Manager who will be responsible for food and dining new product strategy, development, and product lifecycle management. The role also involves leading the design and concept creation for refits and newbuilds across our P&O Cruises fleet.

The P&O Cruises Guest Experience team is central to our fleet operations. As the first contact for our shipboard leadership, we assist them in navigating between ship and shore, providing advice and support. We aim to meet our guests' evolving needs, inspire our crew, and deliver exceptional guest service. When issues arise, we act swiftly to recover brilliantly.

As Food and Dining Product Development Senior Manager, you will define our Food and Dining product strategies and standards for our fleet, working closely with the Cunard brand team to share best practices. You will design activities and plans to maximize onboard revenue and guest satisfaction while managing costs within budgets. Food is a core part of our brand at P&O Cruises. We seek a Senior Manager Food to drive our dining concept delivery. If you have proven experience in food concept strategies and menu development lifecycle management, we would love to hear from you.

Your role will involve designing our future food offerings, identifying guest and commercial opportunities, and collaborating with culinary and operational teams to bring innovations to life.

Accountabilities include:

  • Delivering strategic commercial goals and forecasts for all food lines through strategy execution.
  • Conducting full lifecycle analysis for all Food and Dining products, influencing support functions for improvements in commercial reporting to optimize food sales.
  • Collaborating with analytical teams to identify opportunities and design activities to maximize food and dining sales, supporting the development, implementation, and review of all food and dining concepts.
  • Designing and optimizing Food and Dining propositions, including pricing strategies, serviceware, technology, service procedures, and range, to drive revenue and guest satisfaction.

This role is classified as CUK06, offered as a full-time and permanent position, with hybrid working options including up to two days from home.

Requirements: Your Expertise and Leadership

To succeed, you should have:

  • Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing revenue and costs.
  • Broad knowledge of various food and dining environments, including high-volume and multi-site operations.
  • Experience liaising with and influencing multidisciplinary stakeholders in complex environments.

About You: A Catalyst for Change

We value diversity and seek candidates who:

  • Provide leadership and direction, taking responsibility for actions and fostering a positive culture.
  • Work collaboratively, engaging others with accountability and team spirit.
  • Drive change and continuous improvement, cascading initiatives through teams and cross-departmental collaborations.

Why Join Us?

Working with us means more than a job; it's about creating unforgettable holiday experiences and a fulfilling career. Our benefits include:

  • Annual bonus
  • Employee discounts on cruises and offers for friends and family
  • A welcoming onboarding process
  • Regular events, learning opportunities, and wellbeing programs
  • Generous leave, pension schemes, private medical insurance, and more

Ready to Lead?

If leading a Food & Beverage Product Development team excites you, we want to hear from you. Apply now and make a difference in our shared success.

Head of Food Development. employer: Carnival Corporation and plc

Carnival UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and innovation in food development are at the forefront. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive learning opportunities, a welcoming culture, and attractive benefits such as annual bonuses and discounts on cruises. Join us in shaping unforgettable dining experiences while enjoying a fulfilling career in the vibrant travel industry.
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Contact Detail:

Carnival Corporation and plc Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Food Development.

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in food and dining, especially within the cruise industry. Understanding what guests are currently looking for can help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your knowledge during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the food development sector, particularly those who have experience in high-volume and multi-site operations. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed product lifecycle strategies in previous roles. Highlighting your past achievements will showcase your capability to drive change and improve guest satisfaction.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Carnival UK's brands, particularly P&O Cruises and Cunard, to understand their unique dining concepts and guest expectations. Tailoring your insights to align with their brand values will demonstrate your commitment and fit for the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Food Development.

Food Concept Development
Menu Development Lifecycle Management
Financial Acumen
Commercial Strategy Execution
Stakeholder Engagement
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Analytical Skills
Revenue Management
Cost Control
Project Management
Guest Experience Enhancement
Service Design
Problem-Solving Skills
Leadership and Team Management
Change Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Food Development position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in food concept strategies and menu development.

Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly showcase your experience in food and dining environments, particularly in high-volume and multi-site operations. Emphasise your financial acumen and any leadership roles you've held that demonstrate your ability to drive change and improve processes.

Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food development and how your skills align with Carnival UK's goals. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed product lifecycles or collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to achieve commercial success.

Highlight Your Leadership Skills: Since the role requires strong leadership, be sure to include examples of how you've fostered a positive culture and engaged teams in previous positions. This will show that you can lead effectively and inspire others in a complex environment.

How to prepare for a job interview at Carnival Corporation and plc

✨Showcase Your Culinary Vision

Prepare to discuss your innovative ideas for food concepts and menu development. Highlight any previous experiences where you successfully implemented new dining strategies that enhanced guest satisfaction and revenue.

✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen

Be ready to talk about your experience managing budgets and optimising costs in food and dining environments. Provide examples of how you've used financial data to drive decisions and improve profitability.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Since the role involves liaising with various teams, prepare to share examples of how you've effectively collaborated with multidisciplinary stakeholders. Emphasise your ability to influence and lead cross-departmental initiatives.

✨Emphasise Leadership Skills

Discuss your leadership style and how you foster a positive team culture. Be prepared to give examples of how you've driven change and continuous improvement within your teams, showcasing your ability to inspire others.

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