Development Chef: Bakery NPD & Scale-Up Lead

Cutter & Squidge; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days annual leave

Pension: 5% from you + 3% from us

Private Medical Insurance

Birthday cake day off

3 days paid sick leave

Slice of Calm day

40% team discount

Job summary

Cutter & Squidge is an on-site bakery team in Brentford seeking a Development Chef to lead new product development from concept through launch. You will work hands-on to manage recipes, costs, and documentation while collaborating with Technical and Production teams.

The role requires a minimum of 2 years’ NPD experience in bakery/food manufacturing and a culinary qualification is preferred. Strong Excel and costing software skills, plus ability to train production staff, are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' NPD experience in bakery/food manufacturing from concept to launch.
• Culinary qualification preferred; hands-on kitchen/production bakery experience required.
• Proficient with Excel and costing software; keep recipes/specs organized.
• Understanding of production and scaling; experience training a production team on new recipes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine new recipes and troubleshoot issues from feedback or production inconsistencies.
• Develop new products to brief with accuracy at every stage.
• Research baking trends and competitor products.
• Manage recipes, update specifications, and maintain documentation for launches.
• Assist with factory trials, pre-productions, and launches.
• Represent NPD at taste panels and train production team on new recipes; adapt recipes for scale-up.

Skills

NPD experience

Excel

Costing software

Production knowledge

Team training

Education

Culinary qualification (baking/patisserie)

Job description

Cutter & Squidge is an on-site bakery team in Brentford seeking a Development Chef to lead new product development from concept through launch. You will work hands-on to manage recipes, costs, and documentation while collaborating with Technical and Production teams.

The role requires a minimum of 2 years’ NPD experience in bakery/food manufacturing and a culinary qualification is preferred. Strong Excel and costing software skills, plus ability to train production staff, are essential.