At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and develop premium food products while ensuring nutritional and commercial targets are met.
- Company: Fast-growing premium prepared food brand partnering with elite sports teams.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative kitchen and factory setting.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Strong culinary skills, product development experience, and a proactive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Fuel Hub is a fast-growing premium prepared food and nutrition brand operating across D2C and B2B channels, supplying customers nationwide and partnering with elite sports teams, professional athletes and high-performance organisations. As we enter a major phase of scale-up, including a future factory move and increased manufacturing capacity, we are seeking a Process Development Chef.
The Process Development Chef will work within the Product Team, reporting to the Product Manager, and is responsible for the hands-on creation and development of FuelHub products across monthly menu development, NPD and EPD. Based within the production kitchen and factory environment, the role combines culinary expertise with food manufacturing, technical awareness and process development knowledge. It is responsible for developing premium, great-tasting products in line with FuelHub’s nutritional, macro and commercial targets, and ensuring they can be successfully translated from development into scalable, technically safe, efficient and repeatable production.
The Process Development Chef will be an integral link between Product, Technical and Production, working closely with the Product Manager, Technical Manager and Production team throughout recipe and process development, validation, factory trials and first production.
What You’ll Bring
- Strong culinary expertise, with a passion for food, nutrition and health.
- Product development experience within food manufacturing, across NPD and EPD.
- Good technical and food safety awareness.
- Strong understanding of factory processes, production and scale-up.
- Excellent attention to detail, initiative and a hands-on approach.
- A proactive, energetic self-starter and team player.
Key Responsibilities
- Culinary Expertise, Recipe Development & Nutritional Targets
- Hands-on NPD and EPD recipe development and creation, delivering premium, great-tasting products that meet agreed nutritional, macro and commercial targets, in line with FuelHub product briefs and brand standards.
- Apply strong culinary and nutritional expertise across ingredients, flavour profiles, recipe formulation and cooking processes.
- Maintain awareness of food trends, seasonality, emerging and functional ingredients, identifying relevant opportunities for NPD and EPD.
- Continuously review and improve existing products, balancing taste, nutrition, quality, cost and production efficiency.
- Manufacturing & Process Development
- Translate recipes and concepts into scalable, efficient and repeatable manufacturing processes.
- Work directly with the Production team through scale-up trials and first production runs, ensuring successful transition into routine production.
- Apply strong food manufacturing and process knowledge to optimise product quality, consistency and efficiency.
- Establish and monitor yields, cook losses and process performance across new and existing products, identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Troubleshoot manufacturing challenges and implement practical solutions while maintaining agreed product standards.
- Technical Awareness & Validation
- Work closely with the Product Manager and Technical Manager to ensure food safety, quality and technical requirements are considered throughout product and process development.
- Apply an understanding of CCPs and key process controls, ensuring products and processes are developed to be safe, compliant and repeatable.
- Support and document cook validation of raw materials and product components to ensure food safety and product quality.
- Validate finished-product cooking instructions to ensure food safety and eating quality.
- Provide product and process information to support HACCP, specifications, allergen controls and technical documentation.
- Product & Production Documentation
- Create clear and accurate production recipes and specifications, enabling consistent and repeatable production.
- Accurately scale recipes from development to production, defining ingredient quantities, methods, cooking processes and portioning requirements.
- Work with the Product Manager to create and maintain factory documentation and process instructions to support successful production.
- Review and update documentation following trials, process changes and EPD activity.
Locations
Process Development Chef in Cheshire, Warrington employer: FuelHub
At Fuel Hub, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and supportive work culture where every team member is valued and empowered to excel. As a Senior Production Line Supervisor, you'll not only lead a dedicated team in a fast-paced environment but also benefit from our commitment to employee growth and continuous improvement. With our impressive ranking as one of the fastest-growing companies, you'll find ample opportunities for career advancement while contributing to our mission of delivering exceptional quality in food production.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Process Development Chef in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like FuelHub.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from FuelHub!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like FuelHub, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at FuelHub, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Process Development Chef in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at FuelHub, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at FuelHub.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to FuelHub. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at FuelHub. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at FuelHub
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to FuelHub’s mission.
