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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the development of exciting new food and drink products from concept to launch.
- Company: Join McDonald's, a globally recognised brand serving millions daily.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in food innovation with a passionate team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on beloved menu items enjoyed by millions.
- Qualifications: Creative mindset and a passion for food development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to represent McDonald's at media events.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
McDonald’s is one of the most recognisable brands in the world. In the UK & Ireland alone, we serve over 4 million customers every single day across nearly 1,600 restaurants. Behind every great customer experience is a huge operational engine, and the equipment and services that keep our restaurants running smoothly are absolutely critical.
We’re looking for an Assistant Food Developer to join our Food & Drink Development team, with a dedicated focus on beverages, desserts and breakfast. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of some of our most loved menu categories, working at the intersection of food innovation, customer insight and brand strategy. You’ll join a passionate team of food lovers who create and develop new menu items that are delicious, exciting and easy for our restaurants to deliver. If you’re energised by creativity, hands on development and bringing new ideas to life, this is a brilliant opportunity to make a real impact on what millions of people enjoy.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- You’ll support the end‑to‑end development of new food and drink products - from initial concept through to launch - ensuring they meet consumer expectations, operational needs and brand standards.
- You’ll take ownership of:
- Creating product and supplier briefs based on marketing promotional plans
- Developing products that meet consumer, operational, financial and nutritional requirements
- Supporting ideation, creation and optimisation sessions for research and testing
- Attending UK Chef Councils as part of the development process
- Partnering with Consumer Insight to design and execute research projects
- Analysing research results and optimising products accordingly
- Ensuring cross‑functional alignment across Supply Chain, Food Safety, Operations, Marketing and more
- Preparing product recommendations for Food Development Manager approval
- Managing projects through the Stage & Gate process to ensure timely delivery
- Building product pipelines for your categories
- Reviewing supplier capabilities and supporting first production runs
- Coordinating food showings and engagement sessions
- Supporting Operations Testing for new products
- Representing McDonald’s at media events as a brand ambassador when required
Assistant Food Developer employer: McDonald's
Contact Detail:
McDonald's Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Food Developer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food and drink industry, especially those who work at McDonald's or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food innovation! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share your ideas and enthusiasm for creating new menu items. Let them see how excited you are about the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching McDonald's latest menu trends and innovations. Being knowledgeable about their products will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the McDonald's family and making an impact on their menu.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Food Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: We want to see your love for food and drink shine through in your application. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your creativity and enthusiasm for developing new menu items.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We’re looking for someone who can support the end-to-end development process, so highlight your relevant experience!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with our Food & Drink Development team.
How to prepare for a job interview at McDonald's
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with McDonald's current menu, especially the beverages, desserts, and breakfast items. Understand what makes these products popular and think about how you could innovate or improve them. This shows your passion for food development and your commitment to the brand.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to discuss your ideas for new products or improvements to existing ones. Think outside the box and be ready to explain how your concepts align with consumer insights and operational needs. This is your chance to demonstrate your creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Understand the Development Process
Brush up on the end-to-end product development process, particularly the Stage & Gate process mentioned in the job description. Be prepared to discuss how you would manage projects and ensure timely delivery while collaborating with various teams. This will show that you’re not just creative but also organised and strategic.
✨Engage with Consumer Insights
Research how consumer insights influence product development at McDonald's. Be ready to talk about how you would use data to inform your decisions and optimise products. This demonstrates your analytical skills and your understanding of the importance of aligning with customer expectations.