Job Purpose
To manage and develop existing and future menu and product lines of the company’s various brands and external customer base.
Duties and Responsibilities
- To combine innovative and creative ideas and exceptional kitchen capability in developing products with commercial understanding of what will be profitable to the business and the customer/end user
- Effectively use enthusiasm, creativity, strong culinary skills and commercial acumen to actively sell the benefits and added value for each new product developed
- Ability to collect a comprehensive brief from internal brands/external customers regarding specific product requirements and develop this into a viable market ready product taking into consideration the constraints and processes of the manufacturing facilities
- To lead a team of chefs and technicians to execute products accurately and with consistency
- Create and develop products targeted to a range of price points, restaurants, and cooked or chilled pre-packaged food
- Ability to come up with creative ideas in line with current and future food trends and translate them to exciting and appealing menu and food offers
- Be highly innovative and to open new ideas, cuisines and concepts
- Able to develop products from a range of cuisines, with various different looks and forms of food presentation
- Create strong products regularly for both savory and sweet production
- Be disciplined in process when identifying new menu and recipe offers
- Thoroughly research new ideas to identify market niches and opportunities to which existing products could be tailored and new products developed
- Actively participate in strategic product and process planning by continuously scanning the external environment for new product and process technologies
- Keep up to date with the latest food trends in the market
- Be highly visual and sensory with a good sense of food presentation styles
- Interact with customers to find new and novel market opportunities for products
- Lead product project management process by ensuring that key priorities and objectives are met
- Ability to be creative and cost-conscious in product development
- Assist in the Launch of new products, menu or recipe dishes successfully
- Writes recipes and procedures for new products or reformulate current products
- Participate in the sensory evaluations of current and new products
- Work closely with Trade division and Concept Development Unit
- Successfully and professionally participate in/conduct product presentations for internal and external customers
- Ensures culinary execution is consistent with branding elements of each new product created
- Manage multiple projects within established timelines
- Contribute to sales growth through product selection, execution, pricing and creative development
- Provide technical support for sales, operations, purchasing and technology strategies
- Accept that this job description is not exhaustive and it may be necessary with consultation, to amend/change details from time to time
- Continually review your responsibilities and performance to achieve the best results
- Accept overall responsibility for the product development process within the manufacturing facilities
- Ensure that the company’s reputation for food quality and innovation is enhanced with our customers
- To carry out training of all staff involved in the production of new products developed
- Through the process ensure that all technical aspects/obligations of the manufacturing business are being complied with and fulfilled
- Ensure that Company policies and statements are applied continuously and that the companies statements and policies are continually reviewed with regards to new products and process with the technical manager and amend to prevent any breach of any local or statutory regulations
- Participate at regular internal audits to monitor and validate internal systems and practices
- Participate in the Monthly meetings
- Complete and submit brief monthly reports to the GM/management team relating to issues, progress and future requirements
- Assist the technical team in investigating and responding to customer comments or complaints regarding food quality, safety or allegations of food poisoning