Culinary Development Manager

Overview

We are recruiting an innovative and commercially focused Culinary Development Manager to join a leading food business based in the West Midlands. Reporting to the Head of Culinary UK, this role is responsible for leading the development and commercialisation of exciting food products that align with customer requirements, market trends, and business growth objectives. This role combines culinary creativity with commercial awareness and product development expertise, ensuring products are developed to the highest standards of quality, scalability, and customer satisfaction. The successful candidate will work closely with customers, suppliers, sales, and cross-functional teams to bring concepts from idea through to launch while supporting innovation and continuous improvement across the business. This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate food professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys building strong customer relationships, driving innovation, and developing commercially successful products.

About you

• Previous experience within a Culinary Development, NPD, or Product Development role within food manufacturing or foodservice.
• Strong understanding of food trends, market insights and customer-led product development.
• Commercially aware with the ability to develop products that balance quality, cost and operational feasibility.
• Experience working closely with customers, suppliers and cross functional teams within a fast paced food environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the confidence to present products to customers and stakeholders.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines and development briefs simultaneously.

What will you be doing?

• Leading the development and commercialisation of innovative food products from concept through to launch.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with customers and suppliers through regular communication and collaboration.
• Managing customer development projects and responding positively and proactively to customer briefs and requests.
• Working cross-functionally with Sales teams to identify and pursue opportunities with new and existing customers.
• Developing commercially viable products that support business growth and enhance the company product portfolio.
• Researching food trends, market opportunities and competitor activity to identify new development opportunities.
• Conducting engaging and customer-focused food presentations and product demonstrations.
• Building a thorough understanding of the company product range and evaluating products against competitor offerings.
• Writing clear and concise development briefs and managing projects through the full concept to launch process.
• Working closely with suppliers in both kitchen and factory environments to develop and improve products.

What can they offer you?

An opportunity to join a growing and innovative food business where creativity, collaboration, quality and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything they do. You'll become part of a passionate and supportive team with the opportunity to influence product innovation, work closely with customers and suppliers and play a key role in bringing exciting new food products to market. This role offers the chance to develop your culinary and commercial expertise while making a real impact within a dynamic environment.

Location and eligibility

We are keen to speak with experienced Culinary Development Managers, NPD Managers, Product Development Managers, Development Chefs, Innovation Managers, or Senior NPD Technologists from the food manufacturing or foodservice sectors who live within Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth, Stafford, Lichfield or surrounding areas.

How to apply

If you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting re JO/TNT/2691 or call / for a confidential discussion.

We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.