Job Ref: 215679152

Date: 2022-01-28 11:46:12

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Lead Product Development Chef
  
This is a unique opportunity to join a heritage UK brand as their external face of NPD. This role sits within the R&D function and will be the authoritative culinary voice within the team. You will bring passion and your knowledge and insights of food trends, from street food to high end restaurants, into their products. This will be predominantly bakery & patisserie focused.
The Role
The Lead Development Chef will bring creativity and food credentials to the business. As the culinary leader for the business the role will see you working closely with R&D, marketing and customer functions to share knowledge on trends and competitor activity whilst inspiring the business with innovative ideas.

Be knowledgeable and constantly aware of current and future food and consumer trends and competitor developments. Build strong links with marketing to ensure that these trends are utilised to build concepts and products that encourage and support the building of our future innovation.
Support product development by ensuring that culinary aspects are considered, and great taste is central to all developments.
Work closely with the ingredients experts and product development teams to bring to life new ingredients and technologies that will keep the business ahead of the competition. Build showcases to demonstrate these to team members.
Work closely with the Consumer Technical Insights team to ensure the consumer is at the forefront of all our developments and support rapid prototyping to gather consumer feedback and ensure right first-time development.
Build networks externally within the food industry, including suppliers and chefs.
Competitor expert, staying ahead of competitor activity and sharing insights with the wider team, ensuring our innovation is best in class and adaptable to market trends.
Coordinate culinary days and food tours to inspire colleagues and ensure focus on the external world. What do you need for this role?
The Lead Development Chef will have a significant proven experience in high-end restaurants, with demonstrable experience in new recipe development. The role is highly visible and will require the ability to work cross functionally including the leadership team.

Culinary background
Deep knowledge of food trends locally and globally
Ability to demonstrate a strong network of external chefs
Strong presentation skills, as this role may have public facing duties e.g. news interviews, social media, events, business showcases.
Proven knowledge of managing a culinary budget.
Experience within an FMCG organisation as a development chef would be ideal.
Project management skills
Member of culinary associations
Detailed knowledge and highly skilled in patisserie and bakery   
For more information get in touch with Dan at ZAP

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