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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative recipes and manage kitchen operations for product development.
- Company: itsu is a leading Asian-inspired healthy eating brand with over 70 UK stores.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, health insurance, and 50% discount in itsu shops.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team passionate about food innovation and healthy eating culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in a professional kitchen and a love for Asian cuisine are essential.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are key; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Ideal Candidate
- A passion for Asian food and an obsessed foodie
- Experience working in a professional kitchen, restaurant or development kitchen
- Be able to work in a small team and individually
- Highly organised and self-motivated individual
About Us
itsu is the healthy eating, Asian inspired quick service retail & grocery brand with over 70 stores in the UK and a leading grocery business across Europe and beyond. Renowned for its best-in-class food made fresh in every shop every day, itsu has huge global ambitions with a commitment to continue to open many more stores and intensify the growth of its already thriving grocery arm. With its best-in-class healthy food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.
itsu (grocery) takes the itsu brand into supermarkets, health food stores, online, wholesale and internationally with products such as crispy seaweed thins, frozen gyoza & bao, brilliant broth, rice noodles & miso easy to name a few.
D&I Statement
itsu (grocery) is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation. We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply for all of our opportunities.
Scope Of The Role
Itsu (grocery) are looking for a Kitchen Developer to be responsible for recipe innovation and supporting the Senior NPD Manager on delivering products from ideation to sign off at Gate 2. The successful candidate will have day to day management of the kitchen and ingredient store and be responsible for cooking up the product range and samples as per requests.
Product innovation
- Makes up recipes to meet the brief from the Senior NPD Manager and pro-actively considers how to approach, providing alternative ideas that are commercially viable and scalable.
- Accurately documents kitchen recipes, methods and briefs out to suppliers.
- Works with the Senior NPD Managers and suppliers to review sample submissions and provides feedback.
- Pro-actively arranges tasting of samples developed or samples requested.
- Keeps up to date with food trends related to the category and new products that emerge within retail and restaurants.
Kitchen management
- Maintains a tidy, organised and clean kitchen.
- Ensures all ingredients required to produce kitchen samples for live NPD projects are maintained in stock.
- Supports with the general NPD shopping list, keeping the rest of the team pro-actively updated on ability to source required ingredients/samples.
- Cooks up products and dishes as per requests for business meetings.
- Organises and supports products for external customer meetings.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Competitive bonus scheme
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (two bank holidays are interchangeable for other religious holidays)
- Health insurance
- Company pension scheme
- Opportunity to work from home abroad
- 50% employee discount in itsu shops
- Free itsu lunch
- Discounts at major retailers
- A sizeable training budget to support your ongoing development
Kitchen Developer employer: itsu
Contact Detail:
itsu Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Developer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with itsu's product range and their unique approach to Asian cuisine. Understanding their offerings will help you demonstrate your passion for their food during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on current food trends, especially those related to Asian cuisine. This knowledge will not only impress the hiring team but also show that you're proactive and engaged in the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the food development sector, particularly those who have experience in Asian cuisine. Building connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your previous kitchen experience in detail, focusing on your role in recipe development and teamwork. Highlighting specific examples will showcase your skills and fit for the Kitchen Developer position.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and skills required for the Kitchen Developer position. Tailor your application to highlight your passion for Asian food and relevant experience in a professional kitchen.
Craft a Unique CV: Create a CV that showcases your culinary skills, experience in recipe innovation, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Remember to remove your full name, university details, and any personal photos as per itsu's application guidelines.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the brand. Mention specific examples of your experience in product development and how you stay updated with food trends. Make sure to align your values with itsu's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Review and Submit: Before submitting your application, double-check that all required documents are included and that you've followed the anonymisation instructions. Ensure your application is free from errors and clearly demonstrates your suitability for the Kitchen Developer role.
How to prepare for a job interview at itsu
✨Show Your Passion for Asian Cuisine
Make sure to express your love for Asian food during the interview. Share specific dishes you enjoy and any experiences you've had with Asian cooking, as this will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Discuss your previous work in professional kitchens or development kitchens. Be prepared to talk about specific projects or recipes you've worked on, showcasing your skills and how they align with itsu's focus on innovation.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
Since the role requires a highly organised individual, be ready to provide examples of how you've managed tasks in a busy kitchen environment. Mention any systems or methods you use to keep things running smoothly.
✨Stay Updated on Food Trends
Research current food trends related to Asian cuisine and be prepared to discuss them. This shows that you're proactive and can contribute fresh ideas to the team, aligning with itsu's commitment to innovation.
