Senior Development Chef

Greencore Group plc; South Kesteven; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Company share save scheme

Employee discount platform

Wellbeing centre access

Enhanced parental leave

Job summary

Greencore Group plc is seeking a senior product developer to manage and grow our culinary development capabilities across UK retail FMCG. The role involves leading a kitchen team, translating trends into market-ready products, and driving margin and commercial growth.

You will work across functions, influence decision-making, and deliver innovative, high‑quality products for our brands while maintaining strong internal and customer relationships.

Qualifications

• Product development experience and leadership in FMCG
• Strong culinary knowledge across cuisines
• Proven ability to drive growth through development and innovation

Responsibilities

• Lead the culinary team to deliver high‑quality product development.
• Present products to internal and external stakeholders with confidence.
• Collaborate across functions to translate trends into viable products.

Skills

Product development

Culinary expertise

UK retail FMCG

People management

Commercial growth

Innovative thinking

Effective influencer

Job description

Permanent role with mobile support responsibilities, rather than being based at site only.

Why Greencore?

Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we’re one of the UK’s leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make everyday taste better.

As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we’re proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life.Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between.

In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn.Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop.

What you'll be doing

Managing the culinary team to create and deliver quality product Development, demonstrating culinary expertise, innovative thinking and commercial awareness.

What we're looking for

At Greencore we put our people at the core. We celebrate their differences and help everyone to be themselves at work. Together we make every day taste better.

• Highly motivated with a passion for food innovation and a proven track record in Product Development
• A broad and deep culinary understanding and cuisine knowledge – a true expert.
• Product Development experience of UK retail and FMCG.
• Strong people management and organisational skills.
• Passionate to deliver commercial growth through Product Development.
• Innovative and creative.
• A strong presenter and effective influencer.

Role Accountabilities

• Business Communication: Has effective internal working relationships across key functions to support the Development process activity.
• Leadership: Leads the kitchen team to effectively deliver the development activity to the highest standard. Supports and mentors Chef team to achieve personal development.
• Leadership: Is open to change and strives for continuous improvement in product quality, margin enhancement, operationalefficiencyand ways of working.
• Customer: Manages hospitality for customer and high-profile visits. Customer role: drives and leverages relationships with Customer Culinary team.
• Culinary: Has the ability to present product to internal and external customers, influencing through culinary knowledge, expertise , passion and flair with best in class food and presentation skills. Supports site with culinary expertise . Is able to convert feedback into appropriate action .
• Product Innovation: Drives the pipeline through inspirational and innovative product and process ideation. Has the ability to translate food trends into relevant and commercially viable product Development. Drives sector-led innovation opportunities.
• Business Knowledge: Fully understands relevant site capabilities andhas an understanding ofbroader Group capabilities.
• Facilities: Manages,maintainsand runs the Development kitchen facility to a high standard.
• Product Development Cycle: Develops NPD and EPD, to an agreed quality and timescale, based on a strong understanding of all Development and commercial parameters. Seeks opportunities for margin enhancement.
• Behaviours: Leader, creative, dynamic, passionate, demonstrable flair and finesse, effective communicator, ability to motivate others, alignment to Greencore values.

If this sounds like you,join us andgrow with Greencore, and be a part of driving our future success.

What you'll get in return

Competitive salary and job-related benefits

Life insurance up to 4x salary

Company share save scheme

Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform

Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform

Enhanced parental leave and menopause policies

Throughout your time at Greencore, you will be supported with on the job training and development opportunities to further your career.

We reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the specified closing date.