Development Chef

Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From our early success in Sweden and Denmark, we’ve grown into the world’s leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4,000 people all across the globe.

We work with our customers to make the products you love even better. The oils we produce go into making your chocolate extra-creamy or putting the crunch into your croissant. And it’s not just food — we work across industries to make products that are higher quality, healthier and better for the planet.

Everything we do is about Making Better Happen™.

AAK BD Foods, St Leonard's on Sea

AAK BD Foods are seeking a highly creative and experienced Product Development Chef to drive innovation within our product offering and customer base. The successful candidate will be part of a team responsible for researching, creating, and testing new recipes in line with our factory capabilities and guidelines, ensuring products meet both commercial and customer expectations as well as our technical requirements.

• Work closely with customers and colleagues within a bespoke manufacturer, research, design, and test new recipes and product ranges.
• Innovate and refresh existing products to keep them the best they can be or negate cost where appropriate.
• Work closely with the operations, procurement, technical and commercial teams to ensure new dishes are viable, scalable, and cost-effective.
• Take an active interest in food trends, competitor activity, and customer feedback to inform development decisions.
• Ensure all recipes and products comply with customer brand standards, food safety, and nutritional guidelines.
• Product presentations to customer and internal teams.
• Maintain accurate records and documents within dept and company wide
• Work as part of a team to maintain a good standard of work environment

• Proven experience asa Development Chef, similar senior culinary role.
• Strong knowledge ofcurrent food trends, flavour profiles, and presentation styles.
• Experience in recipecreation, and product launch.
• Commercial awarenesswith the ability to balance creativity with profitability.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Understanding of food safety, allergens, and nutritional regulations.
• Literate, Numerateand Computer Savvy

• Formal culinary training (NVQ, City & Guilds, or equivalent).
• Experienced in NPDpreferably within a relevant manufacturing environment.
• Full Driving License

• Free Hot Drinks
• Free Parking Onsite
• On-Site Canteen Serving Hot Food
• Company Pension 3% Employee, 5% Employer
• Life Assurance Cover
• UK Healthcare Scheme, Including Gym, and Lifestyle Discounts

About AAK Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen™. We specialize in plant-based oils that are the value-adding ingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK’s offer is Customer Co-Development, combining our desire to understand what better means for each customer, with the unique flexibility of our production assets, and a deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate & Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Food service and Personal Care.

Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and with the support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen™ for more than 150 years.

AAK prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment.