NPD Technologist Chef

Join Kinnerton Confectionery as a New Product Development Chef and take the lead in bringing exciting, innovative confectionery & nut products to life. This is a hands-on, creative role where you’ll shape new product concepts, push the boundaries of chocolate innovation, and play a key role in delivering exceptional products to our premium retail customers. As Development Chef, you will lead the kitchen-based development function within NPD, creating and refining product concepts from idea through to sample and submission. You’ll combine creativity with technical understanding to ensure products are not only innovative and delicious, but also viable within a manufacturing environment.

Working closely with NPD, Technical, and Commercial teams, you’ll act as a key driver of innovation, bringing energy, insight, and creativity to every stage of development.

Position type: Permanent Full-Time

Hours: 37.5

Shift Pattern: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:30

Pay range: up to £35,000

Key Benefits: Healthcare cash plan via paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling) with a value over £400 each year.

Closing date: Friday 12th June 2026

Interviews: Week commencing Monday 22nd June 2026

Responsibilities

• Creative Product Development
  • Develop innovative product concepts in line with briefs from the NPD Manager, internal teams, and customers.
  • Create kitchen-scale samples and recipes, bringing creative ideas to life across confectionery ranges.
  • Contribute ideas and inspiration, keeping up to date with consumer trends and market innovation.
  • Challenge existing concepts appropriately, balancing creativity with manufacturing feasibility.
  • Accurately record development data including recipes, weights, processes, and methods.
• Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Lead product presentations to internal stakeholders and customers where required.
  • Collaborate closely with NPD, Technical, and Commercial teams to ensure successful product development, while providing regular updates on sample progress to NPD and Technical teams.
  • Contribute to innovation sessions, workshops, and team meetings.
• Kitchen & Resource Management
  • Maintain development kitchen standards, ensuring a clean, organised, and efficient working environment.
  • Brief the sourcing of raw materials in line with development and customer requirements.
• Technical & Operational Awareness
  • Develop a strong understanding of manufacturing capabilities and constraints.
  • Ensure all development work adheres to food safety, hygiene, and company procedures.
  • Consider cost, quality, and operational requirements when developing products.
  • Work closely with the NPD Manager and Process teams to refine recipes and support project progression.

Qualifications

We’re looking for a passionate and creative Development Chef who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

• Essential:
  • Proven hands-on experience in food product development within food manufacturing, FMCG or hospitality.
  • Ability to create safe products gained from previous food manufacturing/retailing experience/ hospitality.
  • A genuine passion for food innovation and emerging trends.
  • Excellent organisational and multitasking skills.
  • Strong communication skills, with confidence presenting to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Creative, curious, and always looking for new ideas.
  • Proactive and solutions-focused.
  • Comfortable balancing creativity with technical and operational constraints.
  • Confident working both independently and as part of a team.
• Desirable:
  • Strong experience in chocolate, confectionery, or sweet product categories (dessert/bakery also considered).
  • Knowledge of major food retailer(s).
  • Food-related qualification (e.g. City & Guilds 706/3 or similar).

Rewards Benefits

• 25 days + bank holidays, holiday entitlement.
• 4% employer and 5 % employee pension plan.
• Life assurance plan x4 basic salary.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes including pension payments, cycle to work and electric car (subject to meeting minimum criteria).
• Healthcare cash plan via paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling) with a value over £400 each year.

About Us

The Fakenham site is a 11,000m² facility producing over 8,500 tonnes of confectionery annually, including NOMO – the UK’s #1 free-from chocolate brand. With advanced technology and a nut-safe promise, we supply major retailers and co-manufacture for some of the world’s biggest confectionery brands. Every year, we produce over 5 million advent calendars and 30 million Easter eggs – making this a fast-paced, innovative environment where no two days are the same.

Application & Interview Process

Please apply online via our careers portal: create your account, upload your CV, and answer all requested questions. You will then be contacted by our Talent Acquisition team and, if progressed, enter a two stage interview process at our Fakenham site, including a factory tour and the opportunity to meet the team. Kinnerton Confectionery is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Please let us know if you require any special arrangements or adjustments to be made for your interview by speaking with the Talent Acquisition team at application stage.