Reports to: Senior Development Manager
Location: Llantrisant, RCT
Contract: Full-time
We are welcoming applications from experienced Development Chefs
Are you passionate about food innovation and excited by the idea of creating products enjoyed by customers? We’re looking for an enthusiastic NPD Development Chef to join our dynamic Product Development team. This hands-on role is perfect for someone eager to grow their career in food innovation within the savoury pastry category.
About the Role
As an NPD Development Chef, you’ll play a key role in developing new products and improving existing recipes to support our innovation pipeline across multiple customers and private label ranges. You’ll work closely with our NPD, Technical, Process and Procurement teams to create high-quality, commercially viable products that deliver on flavour, quality, and operational requirements.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who loves food, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is ready to develop their technical and creative skills within food manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities
- Support New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) projects, ensuring delivery to cost, quality, and timeline targets.
- Assist in generating creative and relevant product concepts in response to customer briefs.
- Contribute to recipe formulation and development in line with guidelines and project requirements.
- Gather information and present products in internal sessions such as benchmarking, pre-submission panels and cost-reduction reviews.
- Monitor market and food trends to support category innovation and continuous product improvement.
- Collaborate with NPD, Procurement, Finance and other teams to interpret briefs, source new ingredients and complete costings.
- Support ingredient sourcing and maintain awareness of new suppliers and innovative raw materials.
- Conduct tastings to assess quality, flavour, texture and product performance, recommending improvements where needed.
- Assist in scaling products from kitchen development to factory trials, ensuring technical accuracy and consistency.
- Work alongside the Process Manager during factory trials and handovers into full production.
- Carry out general kitchen duties including hygiene, opening/closing procedures, documentation management and stock control.
- Ensure all products comply with food safety, allergen regulations, nutritional labelling requirements and industry standards.
Requirements
- A genuine interest in developing a career as a Development Chef.
- Background in food—either in restaurants, culinary roles or food manufacturing.
- 1–2 years’ experience in a product development or culinary position (ideally manufacturing).
- Degree or diploma in Culinary Arts, Food Science or a related discipline (desirable).
- A valid driving licence.
Key Behaviours
- Passion for great food and high-quality products.
- Enthusiastic, driven and keen to learn.
- Self-motivated with a proactive approach to challenges.
- Strong work ethic and eagerness to progress.
- Ability to balance creative and technical aspects of development.
Key Skills
- Strong cookery skills with creativity and flair for innovation.
- Excellent organisation and planning abilities.
- Confident communication skills across all levels of the business.
- Strong presentation skills.
- Basic computer literacy.
- A collaborative team player able to work independently when needed.
- Solid knowledge of pastry and culinary techniques, particularly in chilled food.
- Ability to experiment with flavours and ingredients.
- Familiarity with HACCP, allergen controls and general food safety standards.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £34,000.00-£36,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Please can you confirm desired salary
Experience:
- new product development in food: 1 year (preferred)
- Product development: 2 years (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
