Head of Food Innovation in London

Head of Food Innovation in London

London Full-Time 52000 - 78000 Β£ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead food innovation and develop scalable, delivery-first menus for a fast-growing food brand.
  • Company: Join a dynamic food brand incubator revolutionising the UK food delivery scene.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, and flexible working arrangements.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of food with real ownership and direct influence on exciting projects.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in food development or culinary innovation with a commercial mindset.
  • Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration with founders.

The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 Β£ per year.

A fast scaling food brand incubator building restaurant quality, delivery first food brands across the UK. Operating through a growing network of partner kitchens on platforms such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, everything is designed for scale with smart menus, tight systems and food that travels well. All food innovation happens under one roof with a development kitchen, testing kitchen, central production and HQ, allowing ideas to move quickly from concept to launch.

As the business continues to grow, they are now looking for a Head of Food to bring ownership, structure and pace to the food pipeline. This is not a purely creative chef role, but a commercial food innovation leadership position within a data led, high growth business.

Why join?

  • Real ownership – this role shapes the food strategy
  • Speed and impact – ideas turn into live menus fast
  • Founder exposure – direct influence on the business
  • Growth journey – help build the next generation of food brands

The role

This is a senior, hands on position with real influence. You will own the full food journey from early ideas through to scalable, production ready menus rolled out across multiple kitchens. You will work closely with operations, production, data and onboarding to make sure every dish is:

  • Commercially viable
  • Easy to execute
  • Consistent at scale
  • Built for delivery

You will owe decisions, processes and standards.

What you will be responsible for

  • Building and evolving multiple delivery first food brands
  • Leading menu innovation and seasonal refreshes
  • Owning the development and testing kitchens
  • Turning chef-led ideas into scalable, CPU-friendly products
  • Ensuring strong margins, consistency and operational fit
  • Working closely with production to ensure smooth execution
  • Using data to guide decisions: what to build, fix, improve or stop
  • Creating clear specs, recipes, costings and documentation
  • Bringing structure, clarity and pace to food development

What they are looking for

  • 3+ years in food development, NPD, culinary innovation or food operations
  • Strong experience with delivery, QSR or scalable food formats
  • Solid understanding of commercial kitchens and food production
  • A balance of creativity and discipline
  • Commercial mindset – you care about margins, waste and performance
  • Comfortable working closely with founders
  • Organised, decisive and clear in your communication
  • Happy working at pace with multiple projects live at once

Working pattern

  • 4 days per week onsite (kitchens are key)
  • 1 day per week working from home

Head of Food Innovation in London employer: COREcruitment

Join a dynamic and fast-scaling food brand incubator in North West London, where you will have the opportunity to shape the food strategy and drive innovation in a collaborative environment. With a strong focus on ownership and speed, this role offers direct exposure to founders and the chance to influence the next generation of delivery-first food brands. Enjoy a supportive work culture that values creativity, discipline, and data-driven decision-making, alongside competitive compensation and growth opportunities.
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Contact Detail:

COREcruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Head of Food Innovation in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get you in the door.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their food brands and how they operate. We want you to show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their vision.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You need to convey your ideas clearly and confidently. We suggest rehearsing with friends or in front of a mirror to nail that delivery and make a lasting impression.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Food Innovation in London

Food Development
Culinary Innovation
Menu Innovation
Commercial Viability
Operational Fit
Data-Driven Decision Making
Recipe Development
Costing and Documentation
Project Management
Communication Skills
Creativity
Discipline
Understanding of QSR
Experience with Scalable Food Formats
Organisational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫑

Show Your Passion for Food Innovation: When writing your application, let your love for food innovation shine through! Share specific examples of how you've contributed to food development or culinary projects in the past. We want to see your enthusiasm and creativity in action!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experience and skills, especially those that align with the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you're a great fit!

Highlight Your Commercial Mindset: Since this role is all about balancing creativity with commercial viability, make sure to emphasise your understanding of margins, waste, and performance. Share any relevant metrics or outcomes from your previous roles that demonstrate your ability to think commercially.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the quickest way for us to receive your application and start the conversation about how you can contribute to our exciting journey in food innovation!

How to prepare for a job interview at COREcruitment

✨Know Your Food Innovation

Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends in food innovation and delivery formats. Research the company’s existing brands and think about how you can contribute to their growth. Be ready to discuss specific examples of your past work that align with their vision.

✨Showcase Your Commercial Mindset

This role requires a balance of creativity and commercial awareness. Prepare to talk about how you've successfully managed margins and waste in previous roles. Bring data or case studies that demonstrate your ability to make decisions based on performance metrics.

✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills

As this position involves working closely with various teams, clear communication is key. Practice articulating your ideas succinctly and confidently. Think about how you can convey complex concepts simply, especially when discussing menu development and operational fit.

✨Prepare for a Fast-Paced Environment

The company thrives on speed and efficiency, so be ready to discuss how you manage multiple projects simultaneously. Share examples of how you’ve successfully navigated tight deadlines and maintained quality under pressure. This will show you’re a great fit for their dynamic culture.

Head of Food Innovation in London
COREcruitment
Location: London

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