Culinary Innovation Lead – Applications & R&D

Kerry Group; West of England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry Group in the United Kingdom seeks a dynamic Chef to join its Retail Chef Team, supporting customers across the UK. Reporting to the Senior Executive Chef, you will contribute to Kerry's UK & Europe RD&A, blending culinary expertise with Kerry's taste and nutrition technologies to bring innovative concepts to life.

You will translate market insights into consumer-ready meals across meals, soups, sauces, meat and plant-based applications, delivering compelling concepts, high quality, and

Qualifications

• Formal culinary or chef education is a prerequisite.
• Hands-on professional chef experience in a commercial kitchen.
• Ability to translate ingredient technologies into consumer food concepts.
• Strong presentation, communication, and storytelling abilities.
• Creative mindset with commercial practicality and trend awareness.
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality outcomes under tight briefs.
• Attention to detail and strict adherence to food safety standards.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative food concepts inspired by trends and Kerry's tech portfolio.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Marketing, and RD&A to drive customer-focused innovation.
• Lead concept-to-development processes with technologists to ensure quality.
• Deliver engaging customer presentations and demonstrations.
• Maintain high standards of kitchen and lab housekeeping and safety.
• Build relationships across Kerry's global culinary network.

Skills

Hands-on chef experience

Food concept development

Presentation & storytelling

Creative thinking

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Food safety knowledge

Independent work

Curiosity & innovation

Ingredient technologies translation

Communication skills

Education

Formal culinary or chef education

Job description

Kerry Group in the United Kingdom seeks a dynamic Chef to join its Retail Chef Team, supporting customers across the UK. Reporting to the Senior Executive Chef, you will contribute to Kerry's UK & Europe RD&A, blending culinary expertise with Kerry's taste and nutrition technologies to bring innovative concepts to life.

You will translate market insights into consumer-ready meals across meals, soups, sauces, meat and plant-based applications, delivering compelling concepts, high quality, and