Culinary Development Manager

Role Overview

Key Responsibilities

• ***Product Development***
• Develop new products and improve existing ones for quality, consistency, cost and commercial relevance.
• Create and standardise recipes, formulations, specifications and preparation methods.
• Lead products from trial and costing through customer approval and commercial launch.
• Identify new applications and value opportunities for existing products and inventory.
• ***Business Development***
• Develop business across foodservice, retail, distribution, export and other channels.
• Build relationships with chefs, business owners and senior decision-makers.
• Translate customer requirements into tailored products, menu solutions and commercial proposals.
• Lead opportunities from product demonstration and trial through negotiation and closure.
• ***Production and Process Improvement***
• Lead production trials, scale-up and implementation of new or improved products.
• Improve yield, reduce waste and optimise production costs and efficiency.
• Standardise recipes and processes to ensure consistent quality and customer acceptance.
• Work with production and quality teams to meet food-safety and compliance requirements.
• ***Procurement and Portfolio Development***
• Identify new ingredients, products and supplier capabilities aligned with market and customer needs.
• Provide clear product briefs to support sourcing and portfolio decisions.
• Evaluate supplier samples for quality, consistency, application and commercial viability.
• Recommend the most suitable sourcing model: in-house production, local sourcing or import.
• ***Candidate Requirements***
• Formal culinary qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in culinary development, food manufacturing, meat processing or foodservice.
• Strong experience in product development, recipe formulation, costing and production trials.
• Good knowledge of meat, poultry and value-added food products.
• Proven customer-facing and business-development experience.
• Strong understanding of food safety, quality systems and production controls.
• Existing UAE market relationships and a valid UAE driving licence would be advantageous.
• ***Key Competencies***
• Strong culinary and commercial judgement.
• Strategic, process-driven and detail-oriented.
• Strong communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Able to work effectively across production, sales, procurement and quality teams.
• Hands-on, organised and results-oriented.
• High integrity, accountability and work ethic.

Application Question(S)

• Please state the area and Emirate where you currently reside.

(Example: Dubai Marina - Dubai)

• What is your current UAE visa status?
• (Employment / Family-Sponsored / Own Visa / Visit Visa / Cancelled / Visa Reqd.)
• When would you be available to join?
• (Immediately / within 30 days / 31–60 days / 61–90 days / more than 90 days)
• Do you hold a formal culinary qualification or equivalent professional experience?
• What is your current total monthly package in AED?
• (Include basic salary, fixed allowances, and guaranteed bonuses)

License And Certification

• UAE driving licence (Preferred)