Job Description

Job Title:

NPD Chef

Salary:

Up to 40,000

Location:

Grimsby

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a creative and commercially focused NPD Chef to join a leading food manufacturing company. This role is perfect for someone with a strong culinary background and a passion for product innovation, working closely with major UK retailers to deliver exciting food-to-go, party food, and seasonal product ranges.

You will play a central role in shaping future product pipelines -- creating, adapting, and enhancing products that balance culinary excellence with manufacturing and commercial viability. This is a full-time, Monday to Friday role (9:00am - 5:00pm), offering a great work-life balance in a supportive team environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Support the NPD team in delivering category and customer objectives. Demonstrate a proactive and flexible approach to developing commercially successful, on-trend products. Ensure all development work meets customer standards, codes of practice, and internal compliance requirements. Undertake additional duties relevant to the role as needed.

Specific Accountabilities:

Create innovative, high-quality food concepts for food-to-go, party food, and seasonal ranges, tailored to individual retailer briefs. Adapt and improve existing product ranges to enhance flavour, appearance, or cost-effectiveness. Work collaboratively with Development, Technical, and Commercial teams to bring products from kitchen to launch. Attend and contribute to internal and external customer presentations and benchmarking sessions. Maintain a strong awareness of food trends, competitor activity, and market insights to inspire new ideas. Prepare and present high-standard samples for internal stakeholders and retail customers. Support factory trials and production launches to ensure culinary integrity is maintained at scale. Develop and maintain accurate recipes, cooking methods, and preparation guidelines.

Skills and Experience:

Proven experience in a similar NPD or Development Chef role, ideally within food manufacturing or a customer-facing development kitchen. A background in culinary arts or professional cooking, with a strong food passion and creative flair. Experience working with retail customers and responding to briefs or product gaps. Excellent understanding of current and emerging food trends, especially in food-to-go and seasonal categories. Strong communication and presentation skills. Hands-on, adaptable, and organised, with a focus on both creativity and commercial delivery.

Benefits:

Competitive salary up to 40,000 Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm working hours Opportunity to work closely with top UK retailers on exciting product ranges Supportive and collaborative NPD team environment [Other benefits, e.g., pension scheme, development opportunities, staff discounts]
If you're a passionate and creative chef ready to make your mark in food innovation, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to be part of a team bringing bold, exciting products to the market.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to 40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site parking Private dental insurance Private medical insurance Referral programme
Language:

English (preferred)
Work Location: In person