Food Development Specialist

About the role

The experience expected from applicants, as well as additional skills and qualifications needed for this job are listed below.

We're looking for a Food Development Specialist to take ownership of our growing Oakhouse Foods range — creating high-quality, great-tasting meals that truly make a difference to our customers.

This is a unique opportunity to shape products designed for older consumers, the care sector, and NHS settings, where food quality, nutrition, and consistency really matter.

You'll lead both New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) — bringing ideas to life from concept through to launch, while ensuring every product delivers commercially and meets the highest standards.

Location - Chippenham ¦ Oakhouse Foods (part of Pilgrim's Europe)

Working Hours - Monday to Friday (office-based role)

What you'll be doing

• Own the end-to-end product development process from concept to launch
• Create and deliver seasonal and insight-led product ranges
• Champion food quality, taste, texture and nutritional integrity
• Use data, customer feedback and performance insights to shape decisions
• Balance commercial targets (cost, margin) with product excellence
• Develop and refine recipes with a strong understanding of ingredients and functionality
• Lead tastings, benchmarking, and continuous product improvements
• Manage multiple projects and critical paths to ensure timely delivery
• Collaborate cross-functionally with brand, commercial, supply chain and technical teams
• Work closely with suppliers and support factory trials to ensure scalability

What we're looking for

• Experience in food product development, ideally within frozen or ready meals
• Strong understanding of food quality, flavour, ingredients and nutrition
• Commercial awareness with the ability to balance cost, margin and customer value
• Ability to turn data and insight into actionable product decisions
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple workstreams
• Knowledge of food safety and quality standards (HACCP, BRC)
• Confident communicator who can influence stakeholders and partners

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Food Science, Nutrition, Food Technology or Culinary Arts
• HACCP / Food Safety certifications (desirable)
• Experience with specialist diets (e.g. texture-modified foods) is a plus

Why join Pilgrim's Europe?

At Pilgrim's Europe, we offer more than just a role — we offer the chance to build a career in a fast-paced, growing food business.

• Be part of a company where quality and innovation drive everything
• Work on products that have a real impact on people's lives
• Join a collaborative, supportive team with strong values
• Opportunities for career development and progression
• A culture built on Ownership, Simplicity and Determination

Ready to apply? xwzovoh

If you're passionate about food, driven by quality, and excited by the challenge of creating products that truly matter — we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now and help shape the future of Oakhouse Foods at Pilgrim's Europe!