Remote Development Chef – NPD & Customer Innovation

Brakes; Bicester; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car or car allowance

Home-based contract

Holiday purchase options

Discounts on Fresh Direct brands

Job summary

Fresh Direct is seeking an experienced Development Chef to join the Food Development team. This remote-based role is ideally located in the Bicester/Oxfordshire area, with frequent countrywide travel and occasional overnight stays.

You will lead meaningful customer collaborations, develop fresh menu concepts, and support margin growth. You will work across categories and teams to deliver exciting menus, manage customer expectations, and present at food days.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in foodservice with a passion for fresh produce and ingredients.
• Ability to adapt to diverse cuisines and menus across brands and customers.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build strong customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop relationships with customer food development teams and internal stakeholders to deliver innovative menus.
• Collaborate with category, manufacturing, sales, procurement, marketing and technical teams to support menu development and margin growth.
• Lead NPD activities with the Food Development team: create recipes, manage expectations, track progress, and handle data.
• Plan, prepare and present customer food days aligning with briefs and business needs.
• Share food industry knowledge and provide guidance to colleagues.

Skills

Culinary skills

Foodservice experience

Relationships building

Negotiation

Presentation to large audiences

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Full UK Driver's Licence

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Job description

Fresh Direct is seeking an experienced Development Chef to join the Food Development team. This remote-based role is ideally located in the Bicester/Oxfordshire area, with frequent countrywide travel and occasional overnight stays.

You will lead meaningful customer collaborations, develop fresh menu concepts, and support margin growth. You will work across categories and teams to deliver exciting menus, manage customer expectations, and present at food days.