Food Developer [new & existing products]

itsu is a leading healthy eating, Asian-inspired, quick-service retail and grocery brand with over 80 stores in the UK and a growing wholesale business across Europe and beyond. With its focus on best-in-class food made fresh in every shop, every day, itsu has big global ambitions and is committed to opening many more stores and expanding its thriving grocery arm. With a talented workforce, the latest technology, and a commitment to innovation, itsu is the future of fast food.

this is the job

As the Food Developer at itsu, you will report to the Head of Food and will be responsible for overseeing food development with itsu [retail] including cold & hot menu, drinks, snacks. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining itsu's high standards of food excellence, ensuring that our products meet our customers’ expectations, commercial aspirations, and our mission to make healthy, affordable healthy food accessible to everyone. You will be responsible for generating and implementing new ideas, developing control processes, benchmarking itsu against its competitors and current trends. You will collaborate closely with the Commercial Operations and Food development team, Safety, Marketing, Finance and Operational teams.

Skills And Responsibility Overview

• Food innovation and development: Lead the food innovation for itsu retail, ensuring new & existing product meet quality standards, commercial targets & customer expectations.
• Health & nutrition strategy: Ensure health[ier] strategy is embedded in all new innovation and work to improve existing products to deliver against our nutrition goals.
• Menu strategy: Work with marketing, commercial, supply chain & itsu grocery team to set out clear development plans to deliver against our commercial and customer calendars.
• Menu delivery: work with the commercial ops, supply chain, safety and marketing departments to ensure all launches are delivered through the agreed processes to agreed timings.
• Project management: Working alongside the commercial operations teams ensure that all projects are scheduled and delivered as part of the food development calendar
  
  

this is you

• 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.
• Working 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.
• Strong leadership and management abilities to oversee food quality and development.
• Passion for Asian & healthy food
  
  

perks and benefits

• A competitive salary
• Flexible working, which consists of 2 days a week working from home, flexible working hours, and up to 2 weeks a year working from abroad.
• Generous time off allowances, which include up to 34 days holiday
• Free breakfast and snacks available every day
• A free itsu lunch whenever you are in the office and 50% off in all stores, for when you are not.
• We cover a variety of different benefits such as physical, mental, financial, environmental and social wellbeing.
• An array of business events and socials throughout the year.