At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative food concepts and collaborate with teams to bring them to life.
- Company: Join Kerry, a global leader in taste and nutrition for the food industry.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future of food in a dynamic, global environment.
- Other info: Work in a creative environment with strong growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Combine your culinary passion with cutting-edge technology to make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Culinary education and hands-on chef experience required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
About Kerry
Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world.
Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition.
A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.
About the role
We are looking for a dynamic, highly motivated Chef to join our Retail Chef Team, supporting customers across the UK.
Reporting to the Senior Executive Chef, RD&A, you will play a key role within Kerry's UK & Europe Research, Development & Applications (RD&A) team, collaborating closely with Commercial, Marketing, and RD&A colleagues to bring innovative food solutions to life.
This role focuses on developing exciting, trend-led food concepts across categories including meals, soups, sauces, meat, and plant-based applications.
You will demonstrate how Kerry's Taste and Nutrition technologies can be combined to create consumer-preferred products that help customers accelerate innovation, improve quality, and deliver greater value.
Using your culinary expertise and passion for food, you will transform market insights, emerging trends, and customer needs into commercially relevant concepts that showcase Kerry's industry-leading ingredient portfolio and technology capabilities.
Key responsibilities
- Develop innovative food concepts inspired by consumer trends, market insights, customer needs, and Kerry's technology portfolio, including flavours, fermentation, stocks, dairy ingredients, nutrition solutions, marinades, and coatings.
- Partner with Commercial, Marketing, and RD&A teams to identify growth opportunities and deliver customer-focused innovation.
- Drive a structured concept-to-development process, working closely with technologists to ensure consistency, quality, and attention to detail.
- Implement and maintain robust quality and positive release processes across projects.
- Prepare and deliver engaging customer presentations and demonstrations that showcase Kerry's capabilities while aligning with customer objectives and commercial realities.
- Leverage culinary expertise to provide valuable food and market insights that influence innovation and business growth.
- Stay ahead of market, competitor, and consumer trends to identify future opportunities.
- Build strong relationships across Kerry's global culinary network, including the Kerry Craft Collective.
- Develop peer-to-peer relationships with retail customers and manufacturing partners to create value and strengthen collaboration.
- Maintain high standards of laboratory, kitchen, and customer-suite housekeeping, ensuring compliance with all health and safety requirements.
- Collaborate closely with Kerry technologists to execute customer briefs effectively and efficiently.
Qualifications and skills
- Formal culinary, food, or chef-related education.
- Hands-on professional chef experience.
- Ability to translate ingredient technologies into compelling finished food concepts.
- Strong presentation, communication, and storytelling skills.
- A creative and innovative mindset combined with commercial practicality.
- Proven ability to deliver high-quality outcomes against tight briefs and timelines.
- Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality standards.
- Strong understanding of kitchen, laboratory, and food safety practices.
- Competent IT skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams.
- Genuine passion for food preparation, evaluation, and culinary innovation.
- Naturally curious, inquisitive, and eager to challenge conventional thinking.
Development & Applications Chef II in Bristol employer: Kerry Group
Kerry is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Runcorn facility where safety and collaboration are paramount. As a Maintenance Engineer, you will enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits including 25 days annual leave, and unmatched opportunities for professional growth within a supportive team dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation in the food and nutrition industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development & Applications Chef II in Bristol
✨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 Kerry Group.
✨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 Kerry Group!
✨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 Kerry Group, 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 Kerry Group, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Development & Applications Chef II in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Kerry Group, 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 Kerry Group.
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 Kerry Group. 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 Kerry Group. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kerry Group
✨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 Kerry Group’s mission.
