Director of Food Product Development

This is a Director of Menu & Food Product Development role for a global QSR. The position requires expertise in food & beverage product development, growth and strategic department over site, supplier verification, and a passion for creating innovative, consumer-focused products. This is both a hand-on role and strategy role while the UK & Ireland business scales up.

Client Details

Our client is a global Quick Service Restaurant, with a workforce of over 10,000 employees, they are renowned for their dedication to quality and the unique experiences they provide to customers. With HQ, based in London, this role would require flexibility to come to London 1-3 day per week and to travel to suppliers when needed.

Description

• Leading and managing the food product development process from concept to launch for the UK & Ireland market.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and efficiency, as well as ensuring suppliers are up to the standard regarding quality of ingredients /products.
• Conducting market research to identify new product opportunities.
• Developing and implementing strategies for product innovation and profitability.
• Instrumental in the scale-up of the company and team; recruit, train and oversee a team over time (currently there is one technologist that would report into this role).
• Overseeing budgeting, planning, and execution of product development projects.
• Reporting on project status, challenges, and achievements to c-suit, board, senior management, etc.

Profile

A successful Director of Menu & Food Product Development should have:

• A degree in Food Science or a related field.
• Proven experience in a food product development role within QSR, restaurant or RTE food & beverage brand.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Scale-up or start-up experience is a bonus; comfortable being hands-on until the team is of a large enough size.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and collaboratively; in particular with Quality & Technical, Food Safety, Procurement & Supply Chain, Marketing, etc.
• Exceptional project management and organisational skills.

Job Offer

• A competitive salary.
• Hybrid: 2-3 days in London, some travel to suppliers when needed
• An inclusive and collaborative company culture.
• The opportunity to work in a fast-paced, rapidly growing and global brand/company.
• A chance to make a significant impact within this QSR for the UK & Ireland Market
• Benefits package to be discussed during the interview process.

Take the next step in your career and contribute to the growth and success of a leading company in the leisure, travel, and tourism industry. Apply for the Director of Menu & Food Product Development role today.