Senior Development Chef
hireful
Nottingham
Join Our NPD Team at The Compleat Food Group! We’re excited to offer an excellent opportunity for a Senior Development Chef to join our dedicated NPD team in Nottingham! About The Compleat Food Group
At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat. We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice. With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better. We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners. Working Hours: Monday – Friday: 8am-4pm
Location: Nottingham (Regular travel to other sites will be required, up to a maximum of 4 times per month)
Salary: up to £38,000 per annum DOE Job Purpose:
The Senior Development Chef works extremely closely with the wider NPD and Category teams in order to support the development and innovation plan for at a Multi-Site Level. This involves working on NPD/EPD across the chilled fried snack food category. The role involves developing both EPD/NPD products with a strong drive in innovation, making samples and presenting to customer, costing and supporting feasibilities and Procurement as well as supporting Multi site working within the culinary team. The Senior Development Chef will also need to be working in a collaborative manner with the wider development team and other key stakeholders to deliver profitable growth to the Compleat Food Group and its customers. Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities:
Effective delivery of the business strategy and customer category plans as directed by the Development Chef &/or Development Controller/ Manager.
Experience:
At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and career growth: Financial & Lifestyle Benefits:
We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed. Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process. Recruitment Agencies:
We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team. If you would be interested in working with us please contact us directly and should we have any roles we need additional support with we will reach out to you. REF-227 581
At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat. We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice. With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better. We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners. Working Hours: Monday – Friday: 8am-4pm
Location: Nottingham (Regular travel to other sites will be required, up to a maximum of 4 times per month)
Salary: up to £38,000 per annum DOE Job Purpose:
The Senior Development Chef works extremely closely with the wider NPD and Category teams in order to support the development and innovation plan for at a Multi-Site Level. This involves working on NPD/EPD across the chilled fried snack food category. The role involves developing both EPD/NPD products with a strong drive in innovation, making samples and presenting to customer, costing and supporting feasibilities and Procurement as well as supporting Multi site working within the culinary team. The Senior Development Chef will also need to be working in a collaborative manner with the wider development team and other key stakeholders to deliver profitable growth to the Compleat Food Group and its customers. Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities:
Effective delivery of the business strategy and customer category plans as directed by the Development Chef &/or Development Controller/ Manager.
- Support in the sites concept NPD/EPD agenda to required cost and within agreed timescales.
- Strong involvement in customer briefs.
- Delivering innovation that translates into concepts that are profitable and fit the market requirements.
- Driving food values for both site and wider business – visually / verbally / displays.
- Interpret varying customer briefs to deliver innovative concepts that meet the customer requirements for product style / QUID / key attributes / legislation/ customer guidelines and customer brand values.
- Work with relevant NPD managers to interpret the brief and split the work between chef and technologist.
- Present concepts internally to site teams and lead senior management presentations when required.
- Responsible for working with purchasing to source new ingredients / prices / min order quantity and raw material specifications.
- Working with the procurement teams responsible for providing Finance all the relevant information to carry out costings.
- Ability to interpret costings and amend products to be commercially viable.
- In conjunction with the NPD managers responsible for gathering all information required for customer presentations including theoretical nutritional / photographs / benchmarks / product descriptions to internal & external customer presentations.
- Confidently present products to customers and support the NPD Managers & Development Manager at presentations/meetings.
- Able to talk confidently about current and future products. Displays product well and appropriately.
- Recipe build on Point 74 Recipe Professor system or site finance recipe build documents
- Help to lead and support site feasibility sessions with expert guidance.
- Manage workload with site kitchen planner and communicate workload to the wider business and culinary function.
- Interpret theoretical nutritional results against guidelines and respond as appropriate.
- Complete relevant benchmarking documentation
- Complete presentation for food shows/shops visited
- Support in continuous improvements and identify cost savings in reducing production costs / new ideas and ingredient potential to maximise cost savings and efficiency to both businesses.
- Support in value engineering of ingredients / packaging / processes where required.
- Support in liaising with suppliers to provide process and ingredient improvement.
- Play a key role in driving innovation for site and wider group.
- Challenge factory processes
- Involvement in blue sky activity including customer and supplier involvement / researching for site.
- Review the competitive market / comparative shop reports and relevant documentation.
- Support benchmarking panels / conduct as and when required.
- Identifying newness through directional shopping for all sites within the group (shows, local markets, farm shops, restaurant reviews).
- Blue sky development off the brief without definite end point relevant to the category.
- Understand the market at all times and keep abreast of new launches and competitors.
- Demonstrate ability to communicate with various teams as required by manager / projects
- Organise, and attend as necessary project meetings and panels.
- Appropriate communication (written and verbal) to teams and team members.
- To work as part of a team and not by customer head. Projects may be split so working on multi-customers.
- To work alongside development technologists and chefs and be flexible in roles where required across the team – This may involve participating at other sites
- Follow all H&S requirements during kitchen and process development work.
- Promote safe working across site and advice immediately on unsafe work practices.
- May be required to carry out projects within the Complete Food Group which may require time spent at other sites.
- General office duties
- Support the organizing of customer visits and always promote strong business food values
- Continually keep ahead on innovation and the market - communicate with the team.
- Support benchmarking panels
- May be required to support development chefs in the kitchen as and when required.
- Due to the nature of the role, you may be required to cover weekends and night shifts.
- Work in line with the company’s development processes and procedures
- Complete necessary PDR’s for any reports
Experience:
- Experience within a food development chef role
- Strong food experience background
- Restaurant experience preferred – Rosette +
- Catering college qualification (not essential)
- Strong cookery skills with flare for innovation
- A valid driving licence is required
- Organisation / planning
- Communicating at different levels of seniority
- Presentation skills
- Basic computing skills
- Team player but can work independently
- A passion for food
- Enthusiasm to learn and grow
- Hard working and driven
At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and career growth: Financial & Lifestyle Benefits:
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
- 33 days Annual Leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
- Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
- Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
- Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
- EV charging points - available at selected sites
- 24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
- Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
- Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
- Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
- Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
- Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
- Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
- Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
- Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
- Recognition through Club Compleat rewards
- 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
- Charity initiatives and fundraising events
- Team socials to connect and celebrate together
- Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat
- New baby gift for new parents
We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed. Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process. Recruitment Agencies:
We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team. If you would be interested in working with us please contact us directly and should we have any roles we need additional support with we will reach out to you. REF-227 581
Posted 2026-03-27
Recommended Jobs
ERP Project Manager
Compleat Food Group
Nottingham
Project Manager - ERP Transformation Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 per annum Location: Home-based / Hybrid with regular travel to UK sites About the Role The Compleat Food Group is on an e…
View Details
Posted 2026-03-26
Control System Project Engineer
JAM Recruitment Ltd
Nottingham
Control System Engineers in and around Nottingham/Derby - you are wanted! I'm currently recruiting on behalf of an exciting systems integrator who work across all sorts of industrial automation proje…
View Details
Posted 2026-04-03
Payroll Analyst
Eaton Syalon Ltd
Nottingham
Payroll Analyst (Interim Role - 2-3 Months) Location: Nottingham Working: Full-time, Hybrid Role Contract Length: 2-3 months Eaton Syalon are partnering with a Nottingham-based organisation to recru…
View Details
Posted 2026-03-13
Wanted: Media Studies Teacher - Nottingham
Wayman Learning Trust
Nottingham
Media Studies Teacher – Outstanding School The school is looking for a Media Studies Teacher to work in an Outstanding School starting in September on a full-time basis. The school is based in Not…
View Details
Posted 2025-09-23
Pizza Chef
Albertinas Pizzeria Ltd
Nottingham
Pizza Cheff Nottingham Pay: £12.21-£19.86 per hour Job Description: Overview We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Pizza Chef to join our vibrant new culinary team. The ideal candidate will h…
View Details
Posted 2026-03-26
Resistant Materials Teacher - Nottingham - ASAP Start
Wayman Learning Trust
Nottingham
We are seeking a skilled and passionate Resistant Materials Teacher for a full-time position to start as soon as possible at a well-regarded school in Nottingham. The successful candidate will be abl…
View Details
Posted 2025-09-27
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
Commify
Nottingham
At Commify, we're not just a company, we're a globally connected team of innovators who love what we do. As a CPaaS leader with 25 years of ground breaking experience, we're the force behind over 7 b…
View Details
Posted 2026-03-31
Children's Home Registered Manager
First For Support
Nottingham
Children's Home Registered Manager Location: Nottingham Salary: Up to £52,000-£62,000 Perks: Occupancy and Ofsted rating bonuses, 33 days annual leave 4 bed EBD home Company: Our client provides…
View Details
Posted 2026-03-12
GP ARRS Role
PROFDOC HEALTHCARE LTD
Nottingham
Company: PROFDOC HEALTHCARE LTD Job Type: Part Time Salary: £600/day
View Details
Posted 2026-03-25
Quantity Surveyor
MMC Recruitment
Nottingham
Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor Property & Built Environment Nottingham Hybrid/Remote | ️ Permanent Role | Award-Winning Consultancy An expanding Cost Management team in Nottingham are looki…
View Details
Posted 2025-09-19