Development Chef

Drnewitt; South Nutfield; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Drnewitt is seeking a Development Chef to join a fast-paced food business in Surrey. You will work with NPD, Category, and Commercial teams from concept through to launch, creating innovative and viable products for diverse foodservice customers.

In a group environment you’ll gain exposure to multiple sites, teams and products, broadening your experience and accelerating your career while delivering high-quality concepts and cost-effective production plans.

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing or food production environments.
• Ability to take kitchen concepts through to scaled production.
• Passion for food and innovation, with ability to work across product areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine products across multiple categories.
• Respond to customer briefs with creative, market-relevant concepts.
• Present ideas to internal and external stakeholders and customers.
• Collaborate with procurement, finance, and technical teams for feasibility and cost control.
• Monitor food trends and contribute fresh ideas to the business.
• Drive innovation across sites and the wider group.

Skills

Product development

Cross-functional teamwork

Food trends

Job description

Job Description

I’m currently recruiting for a Development Chef to join a fast paced and forward thinking food business based in Surrey. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is genuinely passionate about food, thrives on innovation, and enjoys working across multiple product areas and customers.

Operating within a group environment, this role offers far more than a typical single site position. You will gain exposure to a wide range of products, teams, and sites, giving you real scope to broaden your experience and accelerate your career.

The Role

As Development Chef, you will work closely with NPD, Category, and Commercial teams to bring new and exciting products to life. You will be involved from concept through to launch, creating innovative and commercially viable products for a diverse foodservice customer base.

Key responsibilities

• Developing and refining products across multiple categories
• Responding to customer briefs with creative and market relevant concepts
• Presenting ideas internally and externally to key stakeholders and customers
• Working closely with procurement, finance, and technical teams to ensure feasibility and cost effectiveness
• Keeping ahead of food trends and bringing fresh ideas into the business
• Playing a key role in driving innovation across both site and wider group

The Environment

This is a collaborative and fast moving environment where you will work closely with chefs, technologists, and cross functional teams across multiple sites.

You can expect

• Exposure to a wide range of product categories and customer bases
• Involvement in wider group projects and innovation initiatives
• The opportunity to work across different sites and teams
• A role that offers far more variety than a typical single site position

About You

You will have experience within a manufacturing or food production environment, or a strong understanding of the journey from kitchen concept through to scaled production.

You will likely

• Have a genuine passion for food and innovation
• Enjoy working across different product areas rather than specialising in one
• Be comfortable working at pace and managing multiple projects
• Be confident collaborating with different teams and stakeholders
• Have a strong interest in trends, ingredients, and new product development

The Opportunity

This is more than just a Development Chef role. It is a chance to be part of a business where you can learn, evolve, and progress within a wider group structure.

What you will gain

• Exposure to a group structure with real career progression opportunities
• The ability to move across sites, categories, and roles as your career develops
• A broader commercial and technical understanding of food development
• The chance to work on exciting and innovative products across multiple areas