Job Description

Job Title: Innovation Chef
Location: Newry
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000

About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Innovation Chef to join a dynamic food development team. Reporting to the Head of Food Innovation and Development, you will be responsible for driving the "Food on the Move" innovation strategy. This role involves developing new and exciting products that align with the company's goals, ensuring timely delivery within budget, and keeping the NPD team well-informed about ongoing projects.

As an Innovation Chef, you will be at the heart of product development, ensuring that all new creations reflect the brand's core values of quality, legality, and authenticity. You will play a vital role in delivering extraordinary results through a genuine passion for food and people.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead product development initiatives by translating product briefs into practical, market-ready products, considering ingredient quality, cost, and production constraints.
• Collaborate with the NPD team to drive both NPD and EPD projects, consistently challenging the current product quality and viability.
• Follow the NPD stage gate process, working closely with the wider team to ensure all stages are met successfully.
• Manage product costs and ensure that initial product costings are established and tracked.
• Prepare and dispatch product samples to customers with necessary documentation for ease of use.
• Collaborate with packaging suppliers to ensure the packaging enhances both the visual appeal and the overall consumer experience.
• Represent the company at customer meetings, presenting new products and maintaining high standards of presentation.
• Stay in touch with industry trends, consumer behaviors, and new product innovations to inform the development process.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the development kitchen and manage the development team.
• Ensure the food truck offerings are aligned with company standards and effectively represent the brand.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• A genuine passion for food and a keen interest in consumer and market trends.
• Proven experience in product development, including translating product briefs, managing budgets, and achieving quality outcomes.
• A network of industry experts to call upon for insights and guidance on projects.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving with a strong "can-do" mentality.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to analyze data and transform it into actionable product concepts.

If you are passionate about food innovation and want to contribute to creating exciting new products in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to be part of a team that is shaping the future of food development.