Development Chef

Development Chef – Soups & Sauces

The Compleat Food Group
Bristol
£35k – £40k per annum
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm – Degree of flexibility and will require a driving licence to helps support at other locations, events etc.
Full UK Driving Licence Required

About The Compleat Food Group

The Compleat Food Group (TCFG) is one of the UK’s leading chilled food manufacturers, producing high-quality, innovative food for major retailers and some of the UK’s best-known brands. Our teams are passionate about great food, continuous improvement and doing the right thing.

We’re now looking for a Development Chef to join our Bristol site, supporting innovation across our Soups & Sauces category and working closely with NPD, Category and cross-functional teams to deliver exciting, market-ready products.

The Role

Reporting to the Head Chef, the Development Chef will play a key role in developing and innovating chilled food products across multiple customers. You’ll be hands-on in the kitchen creating samples, developing and costing recipes, supporting customer briefs and presentations, and helping take concepts from idea through to launch.

This role is Bristol-based, with regular travel to Ebbw Vale and occasional support at other sites, events and customer activity — so a full UK driving licence is essential.

Food Categories:

• Bristol: Soups & Sauces
• Ebbw Vale: Soups & Dips

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Innovation

• Support the site’s NPD and EPD agenda, delivering concepts on time and to cost
• Develop innovative, commercially viable products aligned to customer briefs
• Drive food values across the site and wider business

Customer Briefs & Presentations

• Interpret customer briefs to deliver compliant, on-trend concepts
• Work with NPD Managers, Technologists and Procurement on ingredients and costings
• Confidently present products internally and externally

Documentation & Feasibility

• Build and maintain recipes using Point 74 Recipe Professor or site systems
• Support feasibility sessions, benchmarking and nutritional interpretation
• Prepare materials for internal and external presentations

Market Insight & Trends

• Keep up to date with food trends, competitor activity and new launches
• Support benchmarking panels, food shows and blue-sky innovation activity

Teamwork & Site Support

• Work collaboratively with chefs, technologists and cross-functional teams
• Support development activity at Ebbw Vale and other sites when required

Health, Safety & General Duties

• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and H&S
• Support customer visits and site food standards
• Occasional flexibility to support evenings, weekends or launches

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• Experience in a Development Chef or similar food-focused role (preferred)
• Strong food background; restaurant experience desirable
• FMCG or food manufacturing exposure is advantageous

Skills & Attributes

• Strong cookery skills with a passion for innovation
• Well organised with good planning skills
• Confident communicator with strong presentation skills
• Team player who can also work independently

Qualifications

• Catering college qualification desirable (not essential)

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 Available via our online retail discount 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 programmes, online classes and multiple gym discounts
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of meal plans and 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
• Industry leading company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards portal

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. 

If you would be interested in working with us please send a message to recruitment@compleatfood.com  and should we have any roles we need additional support with we will reach out to you.