Head of Food

Location: Greater London

|  |  || --- | --- || 4. | Menu management & commercial performance:
Structure and maintain the food development calendar, conduct competitor analysis, and ensure menu offerings align with commercial requirements and brand standards. |
* Innovation through NPD & EPD across all food and drink ranges
* Quality consistency through
* Quality management
* Process & simplicity improvement
* Skills & knowledge enhancement
* Delivering our health[ier] strategy
* Clean ingredients declarations and UPI removal
* Nutritional reporting
* Delivering against agreed nutritional targets
* Organise & structure the itsu food development meetings.
* Ensure all food development is aligned to deliver customer, marketing and commercial requirements.
* Maintain an annual food development calendar to feed into commercial and planning calendar.
* Implement structured reviews of current menus & offer, considering competitors to identify areas for improvement and ensure adherence to quality standards [taste, texture, presentation].
* Ensure all products are validated to allow consistent delivery across all shop formats.
* Building routes to operational simplicity that will drive simplicity and quality standards. Continually working to simplicity KPI’s
* Work within the planning cycles to ensure all projects are delivered on time and on brand.
* Maintain all recipe information is accurate with Starchef.
* Validate all food service equipment to be fit for purpose to maintain itsu’s high quality food standards
* Work with marketing and supply chain to define and deliver standards, working to ensure all ingredients meet itsu sustainable sourcing and clean labelling requirements as agreed.
* Define & deliver nutritional improvements across all food products to meet nutritional goals.
* Contribute actively to itsu’s sustainability commitments by promoting and including ethical use of ingredients and driving initiatives to reduce the environmental impact within the food development process.
* Manage the nutritional data for the business allowing up to date reporting.
* Collaborate with the supply chain/technical department to ensure the sourcing of high-quality ingredients and their consistency.
* Oversee the development and implementation of validation, including product testing, sensory evaluation, and shelf-life.
* Work with Ops to develop and implement food quality control processes across all itsu locations. Building knowledge and empowerment through monthly quality focuses.
* Work with L&D to embed key quality training within the development pathways for each role.
* Engage with the safety team to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.
* Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices related to food safety and quality.
* Work with technical & supply/procurement teams to ensure an up-to-date risk assessed ingredient review plan is in place.
* Ensure products are reviewed against the risk assessment alongside technical to ensure supplier quality standards are met.
* Track all complaints and utilise this to drive quality improvement at suppliers and via restaurants.
* A bachelor's degree or higher in food science, nutrition, culinary arts, or a related field preferred.
* Proven experience in a similar role within the food industry, preferably in a retail or restaurant setting.
* In-depth knowledge of food quality control processes, regulations, and industry standards.
* Familiarity with cold and hot menu development, drinks, snacks, and desserts.
* Experience in managing and collaborating with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders
* Strong leadership and management abilities to lead a food & quality team
* Excellent organisational and planning skills to implement control processes and improvements.
* Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with various departments.
* Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high-quality standards.
* Ability to stay updated with industry trends and emerging technologies.
* Passion for Asian & healthy food
* Commitment for delivering exceptional quality to customers
* Proactive, innovative, and commercial approach to generating new ideas and implementing improvements.
* Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
* Strong problem-solving skills to address any issues related to food quality.
* Adaptable and flexible mindset to adjust to changing business needs.| Salary | Competitive salary, benefits and bonus [package discussed on application] || Location | Carlisle Place London, United Kingdom |
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