Development Chef

Summary

Bring food trends to life and turn ideas into scalable, commercial products.

Additional Benefits

• Car Allowance


• Company Pension Scheme


• Enhanced Sick Pay

The Role

Our Development Chef will play a key role in shaping innovative, commercially viable products across Sofina Europe’s Seafood and Pork categories. Working as part of a fast‑paced NPD team, you’ll take ownership of concept creation through to kitchen validation, ensuring ideas are delivered to brief, on time, and ready for scale.

This is a hands‑on, creative role where culinary passion meets food manufacturing. You’ll combine trend insight, technical understanding, and practical cooking skills to bring new concepts to life for both internal teams and customers.

Based in Grimsby, this role will require engaging with teams across the UK and Europe, and will require regular UK travel.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Interpreting NPD and EPD briefs to develop inspiring, commercially relevant concepts


• Creating and documenting recipes, processes, and ingredient specifications accurately


• Preparing and presenting samples for internal stakeholders and external customers


• Supporting recipe costings and identifying opportunities for cost optimisation


• Collaborating with NPD to ensure recipes are scalable into manufacturing processes


• Keeping up to date with UK and global food trends, translating insights into concepts


• Leading and contributing to customer‑facing innovation and \"blue‑sky\" sessions


• Supporting sourcing of new ingredients and maintaining strong supplier awareness


• Maintaining high standards of kitchen organisation, hygiene, and food safety

The Ideal Candidate

You will be a creative and commercially aware chef with a passion for food innovation, who enjoys bringing ideas to life in a structured, fast‑moving environment.

• Qualified to Commis Chef level (or equivalent) with relevant culinary training


• Strong understanding of food trends, restaurants, and the out‑of‑home market


• Experience developing recipes with an awareness of manufacturing processes


• Able to balance creativity with cost, scalability, and commercial viability


• Comfortable documenting recipes, processes, and technical details accurately


• Good awareness of ingredients, sourcing, and basic nutrition principles


• Confident communicator, able to engage internal teams and customers


• Full driving licence and flexibility to travel when required


• Food science or related qualification (desirable)

Why Sofina Foods?

This is a brilliant opportunity to step into a role where your ideas genuinely make it to market. You’ll work across diverse protein categories, collaborate with experienced teams, and play a visible role in shaping products that reach major customers.

At Sofina Foods, you’ll be part of a business that’s investing in innovation, people, and culture, giving you the platform to develop your skills, broaden your experience, and build a career in food development.

Company Information

Sofina Foods isn't just a food company – it’s a place to build your future.

With a team of over 13,000 people across 40 sites in Canada and Europe, we’re passionate about delivering quality meats and seafood products to consumers around the world.

Join a company where innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction drive everything we do. At Sofina, you’ll grow your skills, make a real impact, and work with responsibly sourced products from more than 50 protein sources across five continents.

Our vision is bold: to be the most successful food company in the world. If you’re looking for a rewarding career in the food industry, there’s a place for you at Sofina Foods.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Location

Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire

Hours of Work

Full-time

Company

Sofina Foods

Country Code

GB

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