Profile

The Role

The Development Chef is responsible for the full food journey at Seed, including menu development, production execution, training, and ongoing quality control.

https://www.eatseed.co.uk/developmentchef 

Working Location

• Production Kitchen (Dungannon) + Restaurant Sites (Dungannon & Belfast)
• Travel required as part of the role.

Key responsibilities include:

Menu & Product Development

• Lead the development of seasonal menu updates across the year.
• Create and evolve bowls, salads, dressings, marinades, sauces, and toppings that align with Seed’s food identity.
• Research, test, and refine recipes to ensure balance, flavour, and consistency.
• Introduce seasonal ingredients, new ideas, and relevant food trends while staying true to the brand.

Recipe Development & Documentation

• Produce clear, detailed recipe documentation including batch guides, prep methods, and finishing notes.
• Ensure all recipes are scalable and consistently executable across multiple sites.
• Review and refine recipes post-launch based on feedback and performance.
• Collaborate with the wider management team on pricing, costing, and margin considerations where required.

Production Kitchen Leadership

• Lead the production kitchen, setting standards for quality, food safety, organisation, and efficiency.
• Continuously improve production workflows, batch processes, and handover to site kitchens.
• Ensure production output supports consistency and speed at restaurant level.

Training & Menu Rollouts

• Train kitchen leads and teams ahead of each seasonal launch.
• Deliver clear guidance on preparation, seasoning, assembly, and presentation.
• Support training through hands-on demonstrations and practical guidance (including video or visual tools where helpful).
• Ensure teams feel confident and capable before and after new menu launches.

Quality Control & Kitchen Presence

• Maintain a strong, regular presence across kitchens to uphold standards.
• Monitor consistency, freshness, technique, and flavour across all locations.
• Provide hands-on coaching and corrective guidance where needed.
• Increase kitchen presence during launches, busy periods, or staffing challenges.
• Identify and resolve issues relating to prep, workflow, waste, or execution drift.

Supplier & Ingredient Oversight

• Maintain relationships with key suppliers and food reps.
• Stay informed on availability, pricing changes, and new product options.
• Ensure ingredients consistently meet Seed’s standards for quality and flavour.

Brand & Food Identity

• Protect and evolve Seed’s food style across all locations.
• Ensure presentation, flavour, and freshness standards are consistently met.
• Support marketing and brand teams with food insights during launches or campaigns.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Work closely with Directors, Operations, and Restaurant Managers to ensure food systems are scalable and efficient.
• Provide input on equipment, workflow, and kitchen layout improvements that impact food quality.
• Contribute to strategic planning and expansion discussions from a food and operations perspective.
• Take part in regular leadership check-ins to review performance, upcoming launches, training needs, and any food-related risks or opportunities.

Why Join Seed

This isn’t a single site Head Chef role.

This role offers the opportunity to shape how food is developed and delivered across a growing health focused brand. You’ll have real influence over menus, kitchens, and teams, with space to test ideas, improve systems, and raise standards as the business evolves.

If you’re motivated by building something long-term and creating your mark on a food brand, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Flexitime
• On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Northern Ireland: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)