New Product Development Assistant Chef

Job Title New Product Development Assistant Chef

Reports To:Product Development Technologist

Summary of work environment

Product Development is integral to the success of the Clients business ensuring that they are always ahead of the curve through customer driven insight and research. The development of their profitable menu offering will ensure leading edge identification, development and launch of ingredients, new products and innovation within all Java House brands.

Primary Purpose and Scope the Job

The role is responsible for the research, development and Integrating consumer insight, research, brand management, and all sector requirements. The role is to develop clear and detailed product briefs to uncover insights and bring innovative solutions to the market. The aim is to optimize consumer appeal and position the Client as leading edge in East Africa and beyond.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Creating and leading a multi-year innovation pipeline including Commercial Innovation while supporting brand strategies

• Identifying trends and insights that lead to the conceptualization of product ideas that will uniquely and competitively position the Client.

• Work closely with a team of chefs and other related departments to ensure all new products meet technical, price and production parameters

• Develop the food and beverage platforms for new concepts and channels for all brands.

• Drafting and signing off on product specifications and documentation

• Conceptualization of new products right through the seamless transition to the brand team post launch and track year-one-in-market performance.

• Responsible for improving existing product offering to address Ever-Changing Consumer Demands

• Work closely with finance in delivering P&L, including Y1 and ongoing volume forecasts, along with pricing and trade recommendations to profitably win in the marketplace.

• Drafting and updating company existing/New Product Development procedures and ensuring that all staff are fully compliant

• Reporting on product performance on a regular basis

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Food Industry R&D activities and business performance leading to improved business performance

• Presenting new products to potential customers through research and co-creation groups

CUSTOMER INTERACTION AND CO-CREATIONS

• Be the key customer contact for all issues concerning product innovations and outcomes (Business-Customer interface).

COMMUNICATION AND TEAM

• Fostering an environment in which team members are motivated to generate new ideas based around clear customer feedback.

• Taking responsibility for successful handover of product to process development staff

• Contribute to all wider business perspectives from a food innovation perspective.

• Develop the food and beverage platforms for new concepts and channels for all brands

• Formulating new production processes or stages within processes

• Generating ideas for new products and researching feasibility in terms of profitability, resource availability and compliance with regulations.

• Optimized costing of menu items

• Recording and analyzing data

• Mapping out the marketing calendar on offers and specials

• Liaising with engineering, research, technical and/or production staff

• Writing and reading technical papers, reports, reviews and specifications

• Keeping up to date with relevant scientific and technical developments

• Product development scientists are often responsible for supervising a number of projects at once.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Any one of the sections as mentioned in the work environment summary

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree /diploma food manufacturing or food science

• Post grad culinary qualifications

EXPERIENCE

• 5 years production experience

• 3 years' experience in product development

• Development chef, experience in creation and costings

• Exposure to industrial food processing

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Licenses, certificates, credentials, travel, Physical requirements etc.)
  Passion for food and beverage matters
• Detail driven, structured and analytical
  
• Able to develop and interpret processing data, translating such understanding into decisive action plans
  
• Ability to show resilience and a flexible approach when under pressure
  
• Able to achieve results by setting high standards and committing to clear objectives
  
• Able to express him/herself clearly when trying to convey a point to peers and leaders
  
• Professional in communicating with customers
  

CORE COMPETENCIES: 

• A logical and investigative mind

• Excellent analytical skills

• A methodical approach to work

• Team working skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Written and oral communication skills

• The ability to communicate effectively with staff in non-scientific positions

• Good technical skills

• Problem-solving skills

• IT skill