Culinary Lead

Culinary Lead

North East England
£50,000 – £60,000 + benefits

Are you a commercially minded culinary leader who thrives on creativity, innovation and shaping the future of food?

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a fast-growing, highly respected food business at the forefront of UK food innovation. Working alongside some of the industry’s most passionate leaders, you’ll gain constant exposure to emerging food trends, category-leading innovation and collaborative partnerships with major UK retailers.

The business combines entrepreneurial energy with genuine ambition — a place where creativity is encouraged, ideas are valued and talented people are given the freedom to make a real impact.

We’re looking for an experienced culinary leader who can inspire teams, influence strategy and drive innovation across multiple categories and sites.

The Opportunity

You will take ownership of the culinary innovation strategy, leading the development of commercially successful, trend-led and customer-focused products from concept through to launch.

This is a highly visible leadership role with significant influence across the wider business, working closely with commercial, NPD, procurement, operations and customer teams.

You’ll lead and mentor a talented culinary team while helping shape the future direction of the business through innovation, strategic thinking and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the culinary innovation strategy across multiple
• Drive exciting, commercially viable innovation pipelines aligned to customer and market trends
• Build strong senior-level relationships with key retail partners and stakeholders
• Inspire and develop high-performing culinary teams across the division
• Champion blue-sky thinking and future-focused food trends
• Collaborate cross-functionally with NPD, procurement, technical and operations teams
• Support feasibility and scale-up from kitchen concept to factory production
• Lead sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives across development and sourcing
• Set culinary standards, priorities and resource planning across the function

About You

• Extensive experience within food manufacturing or high-volume food production
• Proven success leading culinary or innovation teams across multiple categories or sites
• Strong understanding of food trends, manufacturing processes and retailer expectations
• Commercially aware with experience balancing creativity and profitability
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Passionate about food, innovation and developing people
• Professional chef background or equivalent industry experience

Why Join?

• Work with some of the UK’s leading retail customers
• Be part of a creative, ambitious and rapidly growing business
• Gain exposure to cutting-edge food trends and innovation
• Join a passionate leadership team that genuinely values ideas and collaboration
• Opportunity to shape strategy and make a visible impact across the business

If you’re looking for a role where you can combine strategic leadership, creativity and genuine influence within an exciting food business, we’d love to hear from you.