Product Development Chef

We are Pilgrim s Food Masters, part of the Pilgrim s family since September 2021, (previously part of Kerry Foods) and we have a proud history of developing brilliant food for our customers and consumers that is enjoyed in millions of UK and Irish homes every year.
The wider Pilgrim s company employs around 60,000 people across the globe and we re one of the world s biggest food companies. We aim to become the best and most respected company in our industry creating the opportunity of a better future for all our team members.
Our Pilgrim s Food Masters portfolio includes famous brands that are some of the UK and Ireland s favourites, such as Denny, Galtee, Richmond and Fridge Raiders. We are the UK s biggest producer of prepared meals, making delicious chilled and frozen ready meals for every major supermarket in the UK. And our Accelerator business includes newer brands like Rollover Hot Dogs and Oakhouse Meals that target different consumer groups in unique ways.
We strive every day to make Pilgrim s Food Masters a safe, healthy and happy place to work for all of our 4,500 employees. We will give full and equal consideration to all applicants regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion and sexual orientation. Continuing to build a diverse workforce is fundamental to our business and we value the critical role it plays in creating a truly inclusive workplace.
Job Responsibilities

• To work closely with the R&D Manager & Senior Chef s to determine customer orientated and commercially viable New Product Development (NPD) activity in response to customer briefs and innovation.
• Owner of recipe development (inc. recipe cost) on specific projects using Recipe Professor.
• Support Senior Chef in packaging development (inc. packaging cost) on specific projects via Central Innovation Manager.
• Prepare product costings to target MSP s and understand the business implications from a commercial and manufacturing point of view.
• Provide product samples for internal/external meetings.
• Owner of uploading costing request forms to Product Costing & Insight (PC&I) Portal.
• Be at the forefront of the latest food trends to shape future NPD or innovation projects.
• Maintain the upkeep of the NPD kitchen to a Gold Standard, support the site by using the paperless digital COSHH Management system for the control of all NPD Kitchen Chemicals.
• During the development process and early gate stages you will actively liaise with the cross functional site team to discuss all new products, raw materials, processing and packaging
• You will work closely with PC&I / Commercial teams to deliver commercially viable products and send costing files to PC&I (min 48hrs before submission).
• Support Senior Chef in preparing detailed product handovers for the manufacturing site teams for all approved products.
• Take ownership of personal development plan, seek feedback from peer s & Line Manager.

What You Will Need

• 3 Years experience as a Chef or equivalent food experience essential
• Product / Menu Costing Experience
• Supply chain experience -Sourcing of Ingredients / Produce
• Project management skills
• IT Proficiency Excel/Word/Powerpoint
• Ingredient Knowledge/Food Passion
• Previous experience in the Food Industry

Why Join Pilgrim s Food Masters
Our values are at the heart of our business and drive everything we do. Availability is key as we are receptive and open and prepared to take on new challenges. Humility is important to us as we listen and respect each other and value opinions of others. Discipline is vital to fulfil commitment internally and externally. We need to be truthful to each other and respectful of other opinions, so Sincerity drives us. At Pilgrim s we focus on what s practical and important so through Simplicity, Ownership and Determination brings success. All these core values culminate into our vision which is: To be the best and most respected company in our industry, creating the opportunity of a better future for our team members.
We want you to have every opportunity to shine and show us your talents. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make sure the assessment process works for you.