Development Chef

Development Chef 

Are you passionate about food and love to innovate with flavours? Are you bursting with creative ideas and eager to learn? If so, we've got a fantastic opportunity for you at The Compleat Food Group, based in Crewe to join our brilliant Culinary Innovation Team. 

About The Compleat Food Group

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good – great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat. 

We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.

With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better. 

Location: Crewe, CW1, 6XQ

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:30-17:00, Friday, 8:30- 16:00

Purpose:

The Development Chef works closely with the wider New Product Development and Category teams to support the development and innovation plan at site. Our manufacturing site in Crewe specialises in savoury and sweet bakery products for Wrights foodservice. 

Your Duties Will Include:

• Interpret varying customer briefs to create and deliver innovative food concepts that meet customer and market requirements.
• Gather information required and confidently present products to customers and internal site teams
• Recipe build and interpret theoretical nutritional results against guidelines
• Effective delivery of the business strategy and customer category plans as directed by the Development Manager.
• Understand and drive proactive development initiatives which push factory production and Technical boundaries to maximise cost savings and efficiency. 
• Identify new trends and maintain current products to deliver newness to the category by understanding the market.
• Communicate with teams including NPD, purchasing and finance to interpret briefs, source new ingredients and carry out costings
• Promote health and safety culture across the site and follow health and safety requirements during kitchen and process development work
• Work alongside development technologists and chefs through travel to other sites when required

Requirements:

• Experience as a Development Chef in food manufacturing (1 year minimum)
• Strong food experience background
• Catering college qualification (desirable)
• Valid driving licence due to expectations to travel to our other sites across the UK (essential)

Key Skills: 

• Strong cookery skills with flare for innovation and creativity
• Organisation and planning
• Communicating at different levels of seniority
• Presentation skills
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office
• Team player but can work independently

Qualities:

• Passion for food
• Enthusiasm to learn and grow
• Hard working and driven

Why Join Us?

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and career growth:

Financial & Lifestyle Benefits

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
• Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
• EV charging points – available at selected sites

Health & Wellbeing

• 24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub – free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts 

• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support – from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools – including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid

Career Growth & Development

• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
• Company Mentoring Scheme  to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards

Community & Culture

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together
• Employee networks & support groups – including Women @ Compleat
• New baby gift for new parents

The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.

We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.

Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.

Recruitment Agencies: 

We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team.