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 impact in a high-growth environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in food development or culinary innovation with a commercial mindset.
- Other info: Fast-paced role with opportunities to influence and grow within the company.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ 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 West Drayton employer: COREcruitment
Contact Detail:
COREcruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Food Innovation in West Drayton
✨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 and its food brands. We want you to show off your knowledge about their menu innovation and how you can contribute to their growth journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about showcasing your past successes! Bring examples of how you’ve turned chef-led ideas into scalable products. We love to see how you’ve made an impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals ready to shape the future of food innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Food Innovation in West Drayton
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 menu development or culinary projects in the past. We want to see your enthusiasm and creativity!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to highlight your key achievements and skills. We appreciate clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you're the right fit for the role!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the job description. Highlight your experience with delivery-first food brands and data-led decision-making. We’re looking for someone who understands our business model, so show us you get it!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at COREcruitment
✨Know Your Food Innovation Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends in food innovation, especially in delivery-first models. Be ready to discuss how you can bring fresh ideas to the table that align with the company's vision of scalable, restaurant-quality food.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Mindset
Prepare examples that highlight your understanding of margins, waste management, and performance metrics. This role is about balancing creativity with commercial viability, so demonstrate how you've successfully navigated this in past roles.
✨Be Ready for Rapid-fire Questions
Given the fast-paced nature of the business, expect questions that test your ability to think on your feet. Practice articulating your thought process quickly and clearly, especially when it comes to turning chef-led ideas into scalable products.
✨Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit
This position requires working closely with various teams, from operations to data. Prepare to discuss how you’ve effectively collaborated in the past, ensuring smooth execution and consistency across multiple projects.