NPD Development Chef

Reporting into the Commercial Department, GCL Food Ingredients based in Nottinghamshire, are recruiting for an NPD Development Chef to join our ever-growing family business. You’ll be joining an industry leading business which operates and supplies products into the Casual Dining, Pub Group and QSR Foodservice sector as well as the B2B Manufacturing sector. The focus of the NPD Team is to work not only on innovation and market trends but to help inspire the next generation of meals to our clients. We are always looking for individuals who have a genuine passion for food, a positive attitude and those who have a will to be successful. We aim to give the utmost autonomy to our NPD department to create and deliver the best food for our customers.

Contract: Full Time, Permanent, Site Based at GCL Food Ingredients

Salary: £40,000 per annum

You must be eligible to work in the UK.

The role

We are seeking a talented and creative NPD Development Chef to join our passionate culinary team. The NPD Development Chef will play a vital role in the day to day operation of our NPD kitchen, hospitality and client presentations, as well as development of new food products. This role involves collaboration with cross‑functional teams to innovate and deliver delightful culinary offerings that meet market demands.

Main Duties

• Create innovative and exciting products which can be shown to a variety of customers that we work with across the Italian and Asian food sectors.
• Host regular NPD sessions to showcase where the next funnel of products is coming from based upon trends in the market.
• Maintain awareness of market, consumer, restaurant trends and competitor activity.
• Be responsible for communicating recipes and methods for product launches to all relevant departments.
• Work with the team to organise and prepare food samples ensuring attention to detail is kept for all recipes produced.
• Work to set timelines to ensure that all customers briefs are met.
• Be part of customer presentations, showcasing our food products and providing insight as to where these ideas have come from.
• Ensure that any new products or product enhancement is feasible, safe and takes account of the capacity available within the production areas.
• Build strong relationships with customers to ensure communication is clear and effective with the other development chefs.
• Liaise with the buying department, including assisting in sourcing of raw materials, which add value to the product whilst maintaining the necessary margins.
• Ensure excellent standards are maintained at all times in the NPD kitchen, this will also involve general kitchen duties, collection of ingredients and shopping where appropriate.

Requirements

• 2+ years experience in a Junior development role within an NPD department.
• Desired experience working with Casual Dining brands or B2B manufacturing businesses.
• Educated to GCSE level C in Maths and English.
• Formal chef qualifications desired (minimum City & Guilds level 2).
• Comfortable delivering presentations to an audience and answering specific product questions.
• Culinary qualification would be advantageous.
• Understanding of food safety and regulatory compliance related to commercial kitchens and food product development.
• Ability to analyse market trends and consumer behaviour to inform product development decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure.
• Strong organisational and time management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work within a team environment but also have the ability to work using your own initiative.

Benefits

Don’t miss this opportunity to work in a friendly environment as part of an established, family ran business. We can offer:

• Competitive salary.
• Company Pension scheme.
• 20 days annual leave + 8 Bank Holidays with additional service increases.
• Free on‑site parking.
• Free tea and coffee whilst at work.
• Continuous training provided.
• Opportunity to develop yourself and progress as the department grows.

Salary and working hours

Salary: £40,000 per annum. Hours: 37.5 hours per week: Monday – Friday: 08.30am – 16.30pm although this may vary on occasions with customer presentations and business needs. Site Based: Full-time: Permanent.