Innovation Chef: Culinary Trend & Concept Builder

Kepak Group; Kirkham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Pension

Further Education support

Bike to Work Scheme

Long Service Awards

GroceryAid Employee Assistance Program

Corporate gym membership

BUPA Cash plan

Job summary

Kepak Group in the UK is seeking an Innovation Development Chef to shape the future of our product portfolio. You will translate consumer insights and market trends into exciting, commercially viable concepts and prototypes, working with our Head of Innovation and cross-functional teams.

With 3+ years in food manufacturing and a professional culinary background, you will drive culinary credibility, quality, and feasibility from concept to delivery, balancing creativity with practical execution.

Qualifications

• Professional chef qualification or equivalent culinary background.
• 3+ years development experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing and product development processes.
• Experience in culinary innovation, concept development or foodservice development.
• Excellent food presentation, sensory evaluation and product benchmarking.
• Strong knowledge of food trends, consumer behaviour and market dynamics.
• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Commercial awareness of foodservice and retail environments.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Passion for food, curiosity and continuous learning mindset

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging consumer, customer, category, and market opportunities.
• Research global food trends, ingredients, cuisines, technologies, formats, and consumer behaviours.
• Translate market insights into actionable recommendations and innovative product concepts.
• Build strong partnerships with suppliers to access new ingredients, technologies, and innovation opportunities.
• Produce high-quality culinary prototypes that showcase the potential of new opportunities.
• Contribute culinary expertise during concept evaluation, validation, and scoping stages of the innovation process.
• Assess concepts for consumer appeal, commercial viability, and operational feasibility.

Skills

Culinary innovation

Concept development

Stakeholder management

Food trends

Sensory evaluation

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

Professional chef qualification or equivalent

Job description

Kepak Group in the UK is seeking an Innovation Development Chef to shape the future of our product portfolio. You will translate consumer insights and market trends into exciting, commercially viable concepts and prototypes, working with our Head of Innovation and cross-functional teams.

With 3+ years in food manufacturing and a professional culinary background, you will drive culinary credibility, quality, and feasibility from concept to delivery, balancing creativity with practical execution.