Development Chef FTC

Associ8 Solutions; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chilled food manufacturer in the UK is seeking an Interim Development Chef for a fixed-term contract. This hands-on role involves supporting concept development, conducting kitchen trials, and presenting to customers. The ideal candidate has proven experience in chilled food manufacturing and is available for an immediate start. Travel between Cambridge and Sheffield is required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Development Chef within chilled food manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of retailer expectations and commercial feasibility.
• Confident presenting to customers and working cross‑functionally.

Responsibilities

• Supporting concept development and recipe refinement for chilled food categories.
• Preparing and presenting dishes for internal stakeholders and customer meetings.
• Collaborating with NPD and process teams to ensure smooth factory handover.
• Conducting kitchen trials and supporting scale‑up activity across both sites.
• Maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring compliance with food safety standards.

Skills

Experience as a Development Chef

Understanding of retailer expectations

Presentation skills

Collaborative working

Attention to detail

Job description

We're recruiting for an Interim Development Chef to join a leading chilled food manufacturer on a fixed-term contract. This is a hands‑on, fast‑paced role supporting concept development, customer presentations, and factory handovers across two key sites — Cambridge and Sheffield.

You’ll be part of a collaborative development team, working closely with NPD, Technical, and Commercial colleagues to bring innovative, commercially viable products to life. From kitchen trials to scale‑up, your creativity and attention to detail will help shape products that meet retailer expectations and deliver on taste, quality, and feasibility.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting concept development and recipe refinement for chilled food categories
• Preparing and presenting dishes for internal stakeholders and customer meetings
• Collaborating with NPD and process teams to ensure smooth factory handover
• Conducting kitchen trials and supporting scale‑up activity across both sites
• Maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring compliance with food safety standards

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience as a Development Chef within chilled food manufacturing
• Strong understanding of retailer expectations and commercial feasibility
• Confident presenting to customers and working cross‑functionally
• Willingness to travel between Cambridge and Sheffield as required
• Available for immediate start on a fixed‑term contract