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- Tasks: Partner with customers to create innovative menu solutions and drive business growth.
- Company: Family-run foodservice business passionate about great food and genuine service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, performance bonuses, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Bring your chef skills into a dynamic role that truly values your ideas and impact.
- Qualifications: Trained chef with 2+ years as Head Chef or Development Chef and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Supportive culture where success is celebrated and career growth is encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Are you a chef looking for a new challenge? We’re a family‑run foodservice business proud of the partnerships we’ve built with our customers, chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals who share our passion for great food and genuine service. We’re looking for a Customer Development Partner who combines culinary expertise with business insight. You’ll work closely with customers to create menus, develop new product ranges, and drive growth – both theirs and ours. It’s a position that blends innovation, relationship‑building, and strategic thinking. This opportunity is about supporting our customers and helping businesses thrive. If you’re ready to bring your chef experience into a consultative, customer‑facing position where your skills, ideas, and values truly matter, we’d love to meet you.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with customers to develop innovative, practical menu solutions.
- Lead tastings, cook‑offs, and product demonstrations that inspire customers.
- Collaborate with procurement, sales, and marketing to launch new products and menu ideas.
- Build strong customer relationships, identifying opportunities to help business growth and attain aspirations within their business.
- Stay ahead of food trends, supplier innovation, and market opportunities.
- Represent the company with professionalism and integrity in every interaction.
Skills & Experience
- Trained chef with a minimum 2 years’ experience as a Head Chef or Development Chef in foodservice or manufacturing.
- Strong background in menu development, culinary innovation, and coaching or training teams.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills capable of building trust with a wide range of people.
- Commercial awareness: ability to balance creativity with business growth.
- Highly organised, resilient, providing commercial solutions with attention to results.
- Full driving licence.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary reflecting your experience and contribution.
- Company car.
- Performance‑related bonus.
- Comprehensive benefits including wellbeing support, staff discounts, and enhanced holiday entitlement.
- A supportive, family‑led culture where ideas are valued, success is celebrated, and people come first.
Location Romford, Brentwood, Billericay, Southend on Sea (Field‑based with travel across your region)
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Business Development and Sales
Industries Food and Beverage Services
Customer Development Partner in Essex employer: Pilgrim Foodservice Ltd
Contact Detail:
Pilgrim Foodservice Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Development Partner in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your culinary contacts and let them know you're on the lookout for new opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or be able to put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting or a cook-off to showcase your culinary expertise. This not only demonstrates your talent but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on food trends! Make sure you’re aware of the latest culinary innovations and market opportunities. This knowledge will help you stand out in interviews and show that you’re passionate about the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are excited about joining our family-run business. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Development Partner in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: Make sure to highlight your chef experience and any innovative menu solutions you've developed. We want to see how your culinary expertise can translate into helping our customers thrive!
Be Personable: Since this role is all about building relationships, let your personality shine through in your application. Share examples of how you've connected with customers or teams in the past – we love a good story!
Demonstrate Your Business Savvy: We’re looking for someone who can balance creativity with commercial awareness. Include any experiences where you’ve driven growth or identified opportunities for business development.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrim Foodservice Ltd
✨Showcase Your Culinary Passion
Make sure to express your love for food and cooking during the interview. Share specific examples of how your culinary expertise has helped previous customers or businesses thrive. This will demonstrate your genuine passion and commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for Menu Development Discussions
Since the role involves creating innovative menu solutions, come prepared with ideas or concepts you’ve developed in the past. Think about current food trends and how they can be applied to potential customer menus. This shows that you’re proactive and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Highlight Your Relationship-Building Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've built strong relationships with customers or colleagues in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your interpersonal skills and how they’ve led to successful collaborations. This is key for a Customer Development Partner role.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Understand the balance between creativity and business growth. Be prepared to discuss how your culinary innovations can drive sales and meet customer needs. Showing that you can think strategically about both food and business will set you apart.
