Interim Head of Menu Innovation (UK)

Hello, we’re Pret. Proud makers of freshly made food, organic coffee and big ideas. Across 750+ shops and 20+ countries, our teams are shaping the future of Pret through innovation, inclusion, great customer service and a shared passion for doing the right thing. We’re growing fast on our mission to be the hospitality employer of choice everywhere we operate – so it’s an exciting time to hop on board.

Growing good things Pret is where passionate, hardworking, wonderful people (like you!) find what they need to shine. Growth is at the heart of everything we do – from supporting our people to grow in confidence and skills to pursue their unique paths, to figuring out how to make our food and coffee even more delicious and accessible.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for a creative and process-driven Head of Menu Innovation to lead the development team. You will create a market-leading range of Pret favourites and rotating seasonal innovations, to win market share and drive transaction growth. This role is responsible for identifying new and emerging food trends and working closely with insights, marketing and commercial teams to translate them from concept to launch, as well as continuously looking for ways to improve Pret’s core Food & Drink offer.

Key responsibilities

• Team Leadership: You will lead the development team through a customer focussed innovation development process, creating delicious and commercially viable recipes that can be made easily in shops. They will be responsible for identifying new ingredients, recipes or categories that fit within the Pret brand to support the constant stream of innovation required to retain our position as an innovation leader.
• Stakeholder Management: As a senior member of the team, you will work collaboratively with other key business areas such as Technical, Commercial, Marketing, ESG, Launch and Operations, coordinating cross-functional activities to launch products in line with agreed timelines. You will also be responsible for winning buy-in from Pret’s senior team ahead of ranges launching.
• Innovation: You will be a true innovator, pushing boundaries by identifying emerging trends and new ideas, evolving them to become viable Pret products, with an absolute passion for food & drink and in particular a great enthusiasm for fantastic freshly made food.
• Food Quality & Continuous Improvement: Act as a guardian of Pret’s product quality, protecting the integrity and consistency of our offer. Partner closely with Technical, Commercial and Operations teams to lead existing product development, ingredient improvements and commercially driven initiatives, ensuring any changes maintain Pret’s quality standards and customer experience. Oversee the development, approval and launch of these changes through the food development process, balancing quality, commercial objectives and operational feasibility.
• Process Management: Own the end-to-end menu delivery process from concept approval through to successful launch, including chairing of the weekly food and drink meeting. Work with Operations to minimise complexity and disruption during implementation.
• Menu Development: Lead the planning and delivery of all seasonal and promotional menu launches. Ensure recipes, specifications, training materials, systems, and operational documentation are completed ahead of launch.

Experience and Skills

• Project Management: Essential experience managing multiple critical pathways, multiple stakeholders and using multiple data sources to deliver complicated and large projects on time.
• Sector Experience: Understanding of marketing communications within QSR, fast-casual dining, FMCG or high-street retail.
• A True Innovator: Be fluent in market trends and have a good understanding of the competitive market.
• Systems Management: Confident with managing data across multiple systems to ensure compliance with Pret policies (including allergens).
• Commercial Acumen: Be able to innovate with a commercial mindset, presenting viable products that will drive sales growth.
• Resilient and agile: With the ability to react at pace and take feedback constructively and positively. Someone who thrives working in a fast-paced environment.

Life at Pret

Our offices are where teams come together to collaborate, connect and bring great ideas to life. Wherever you're based, you'll find:

• Individual ways to grow: Fully funded professional qualifications, leadership development and informal and formal mentoring.
• Diversity & belonging: Everyone’s welcome at Pret – you’ll be valued for who you are and supported to feel confident in yourself and your skills.
• Pace & variety: Build a diverse skillset, meet some new people and learn (a LOT).
• Community & purpose: We work together to create positive change through the Pret Foundation.

The Pret values

• Be kind, honest and generous: Bring genuine warmth and your authentic self to work every day.
• Bring your passion: Share our passion for food and exceptional customer service.
• Spread joy every day: Small acts of kindness are a big part of what makes the Pret experience special.

The perks

• A Gold Card! That means when you’re in the office, your food and drinks are on us. And when you’re not, you get 5 free drinks a day and 50% off everything else.
• 33-38 days of annual leave (increasing with service).
• Free private medical aid cover – with the option to add a loved one.
• 4-5% pension contribution (increasing with service).
• Life assurance at 3x your annual salary.
• Loyalty awards to celebrate every 5 years you’re with us.
• And more – think: a flexible benefits platform, season ticket loans, a healthcare cash plan, mortgage services, financial wellbeing provisions, option to take a sabbatical after 3 years and opportunities to support our incredible charity, the Pret Foundation.

Life in our Shops

Great customer experiences start with great teams. Explore the diverse career paths, skills and opportunities across our shops and Support Centre, and learn how our people bring the Pret experience to life every day.

Whether you're here for a short stint or the long game, there's a career path for you at Pret. We provide opportunities to learn new skills, take on fresh challenges and build a career you'll be proud of.

That’s for our people, our communities and the planet. We strive to make the kindest choice with the most positive impact wherever we can – and we’re looking for passionate people who can help us keep that spirit alive as we grow.