Development Chef

Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Pension & holiday allowance

International travel

Career development opportunities

Exposure to global markets

Influence on food innovation

Job summary

Protea Recruitment Ltd in London is seeking an Executive Chef - Global to lead product innovation across international markets. You will shape breakthrough concepts across bakery, desserts, confectionery, and savory categories, turning insights into winning products.

This is a chef-led, strategic role at a global food business offering exposure to trends, consumer insight, and cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Commercial, R&D and Operations teams.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Executive Chef, Development Chef or Innovation Chef.
• Strong knowledge of global food trends and consumer behaviour.
• Expertise in bakery, pastry, desserts, confectionery, sweet or savoury categories.
• Proven ability to turn insights into winning product concepts.
• Strong commercial awareness and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience across FMCG, food manufacturing, hospitality or foodservice environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of innovative food concepts and product platforms.
• Transform consumer insights and market trends into commercially successful products.
• Identify emerging global food, flavour and lifestyle trends.
• Influence category strategy and innovation roadmaps.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Commercial, R&D and Operations teams.
• Champion culinary excellence and mentor teams across the business.

Skills

Executive Chef role experience

Global food trends

Bakery, pastry, desserts, confection

Insight to concepts

Commercial awareness

FMCG/foodservice experience

Job description

Executive Chef - Global

London | £50,000 - £60,000 + Bonus & Benefits

Are you a creative culinary leader passionate about shaping the future of food? We're partnering with an innovative global food business to recruit an Executive Chef to lead product innovation across international markets.

This is a unique opportunity to sit at the forefront of food trends, consumer insight and culinary creativity, developing category-leading concepts across bakery, desserts, confectionery, sweet and savoury products.

The Role

You will:

• Lead the development of innovative food concepts and product platforms.
• Transform consumer insights and market trends into commercially successful products.
• Identify emerging global food, flavour and lifestyle trends.
• Influence category strategy and innovation roadmaps.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Commercial, R&D and Operations teams.
• Champion culinary excellence and mentor teams across the business.

About You

We're looking for a chef-first innovator with:

• Experience as an Executive Chef, Development Chef or Innovation Chef.
• Strong knowledge of global food trends and consumer behaviour.
• Expertise in bakery, pastry, desserts, confectionery, sweet or savoury categories.
• A proven ability to turn insights into winning product concepts.
• Strong commercial awareness and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working across FMCG, food manufacturing, hospitality or foodservice environments.

Desirable Experience

• International product development experience.
• Premium or branded food innovation.
• Exposure to multiple global markets.
• Understanding of health, wellness and lifestyle trends.

What's on Offer?

• £50,000 - £60,000 salary
• Bonus scheme
• Pension & holiday allowance
• International travel
• Career development opportunities
• Exposure to global markets and consumer trends
• The chance to influence the future of food innovation

If you're a visionary chef who loves creating breakthrough food concepts rather than simply optimising recipes, we'd love to hear from you.