Senior Product Development Chef

pladis colleagues care deeply about being the best. About winning staying the course and never giving up. Whichever part of the world were in whatever our role. Whether were baking working in HR finance marketing or many other areas we win as one pladis team.

And while were all unique we share something in common. Its the code by which we live and work. We call it our Winning Traits & Behaviours:Purpose LedAgile Collaborative PositiveandResilient. Five aspects of pladis life that define who we are how we interact and get things done.

Why join our team

pladis works in highly competitive fast moving markets where it is crucial to maintain and extend market share through profitable branded growth. It also has an exciting growth plan for emerging markets where offering the right value proposition is critical! Innovation through product development continuous value improvement and consumer perceived Quality superiority v competition are critical and key to delivering the business targets. This role will challenge and push the boundaries of conventional development to deliver differentiated product ideas.

We have an exciting and unique opportunity within our R&D function for a Senior Product Development Chef! As the face of R&D; The Senior Development Chef will be the authoritative culinary voice within the team bringing passion for food and insights of the latest food trends from street food to high end restaurants into our products.

What will this role achieve

The Senior Product Development Chef will bring creativity and food credentials to pladis. As the culinary leader for the business the role will see you working closely with R&D marketing and customer functions to share knowledge on trends and competitor activity whilst inspiring the business with innovative ideas.

What will be your key deliverables

• Be knowledgeable and constantly aware of current and future food and consumer trends and competitor developments. Build strong links with marketing to ensure that these trends are utilised to build concepts and products that encourage and support the building of our future innovation.

• Support product development by ensuring that culinary aspects are considered and great taste is central to all developments.

• Work closely with the ingredients experts and product development teams to bring to life new ingredients and technologies that will keep the business ahead of the competition. Build showcases to demonstrate these to team members.

• Work closely with the Consumer Technical Insights team to ensure the consumer is at the forefront of all our developments and support rapid prototyping to gather consumer feedback and ensure right firsttime development.

• Build networks externally within the food industry including suppliers and chefs.

• Competitor expert staying ahead of competitor activity and sharing insights with the wider team ensuring our innovation is best in class and adaptable to market trends.

• Coordinate culinary days and food tours to inspire colleagues and ensure focus on the external world.

What do you need for this role

The Product Development Chef will have a significant proven experience in highend restaurants with demonstrable experience in new recipe development. The role is highly visible and will require the ability to work cross functionally including the leadership team.

Essential

• Deep knowledge of food trends locally and globally

• Ability to demonstrate a strong network of external chefs

• Strong presentation skills as this role may have public facing duties e.g. news interviews social media events business showcases.

• Proven knowledge of managing a culinary budget

• Culinary Qualification (Culinary Diploma NVQ etc)

Desirable

• Experience within an FMCG organisation as a development chef

• Project management skills

• Member of culinary associations

• Detailed knowledge and highly skilled in patisserie and bakery

Diversity and inclusion is central to everything we do and is reflected across our business. pladis brings together brands and people from around the globe and this diversity is our great strength.

Were an equal opportunities employer and believe in fostering an inclusive environment where we celebrate diversity of thinking and respect everyones distinctive qualities and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process to perform key job functions and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.