Innovation Chef for New Product Development

AVONDALE FOODS (CRAIGAVON) LIMITED; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

AVONDALE FOODS (CRAIGAVON) LIMITED is seeking a Product Development Chef to explore new food products and opportunities that align with business plans. You will engage with customers, translate briefs into viable recipes, and lead development projects to deliver innovative, high-quality products for retail partners.

Role requires strong culinary background, practical manufacturing knowledge, and hands-on experience in scaling recipes from concept to factory production.

Qualifications

• Strong chef background with knowledge of flavours, ingredients and presentation.
• Experience turning concepts into factory-ready recipes and specs.
• Understanding of large-scale food production and process constraints.
• Ability to create precise recipes with ingredients, yields and cooking parameters.
• Proven ability to translate kitchen recipes into scalable factory formats.
• Solid knowledge of HACCP, allergen management and food safety controls.

Responsibilities

• Interpret customer briefs in line with business plans and expectations.
• Develop innovative, commercially viable recipes meeting customer needs.
• Cook and prepare new products for sampling and customer visits.
• Assist with customer presentations and product submissions.
• Stay updated on food trends and translate them into opportunities.
• Lead short- and long-term product development projects.
• Maintain documentation using the company recipe management system.
• Understand site capabilities and attend development and production trials.
• Perform culinary duties while upholding high food quality and hygiene.

Skills

Culinary expertise

Product development

Manufacturing knowledge

Recipe formulation

Scale-up

Food safety

Technical awareness

Job description

AVONDALE FOODS (CRAIGAVON) LIMITED is seeking a Product Development Chef to explore new food products and opportunities that align with business plans. You will engage with customers, translate briefs into viable recipes, and lead development projects to deliver innovative, high-quality products for retail partners.

Role requires strong culinary background, practical manufacturing knowledge, and hands-on experience in scaling recipes from concept to factory production.