Business Development Chef

Key Responsibilities Drive Product Innovation • Identify market opportunities, consumer insights, and category gaps. • Develop commercially viable product concepts with R&D and Culinary teams. • Own concept briefs, positioning, pricing targets, and profitability plans. • Lead cross-functional product development from idea to launch. Manage End-to-End Product Development • Take products from concept approval to commercial launch. • Oversee specifications, costing, packaging, compliance, and launch readiness. • Ensure smooth production rollout and first customer sale. Lead Brand & Packaging Experience • Translate product concepts into compelling packaging and visual assets. • Collaborate with agencies, designers, photographers, and chefs. • Manage artwork approvals, digital assets, and brand compliance. Build Winning Commercial Propositions • Create impactful sales presentations and product pitch decks. • Develop customer-focused value propositions and category stories. • Support Sales teams with tailored presentations for Retail, Hospitality, and Foodservice. Product Demonstration & Customer Engagement • Lead product tastings, demos, and customer presentations. • Partner with chefs to showcase products at premium quality standards. • Develop tools and processes to support scalable product demonstrations. Own Category Performance • Monitor revenue, margin, sales performance, and SKU productivity. • Conduct category reviews and identify growth opportunities. • Lead product optimization, renovations, pricing, and portfolio decisions. • Manage a strong innovation pipeline while maximizing category profitability. Customer & Market Relationship Management • Act as the key contact for customer feedback and product requests. • Build structured feedback and issue-resolution processes. • Develop trusted relationships with key customer accounts and industry stakeholders. • Convert customer insights into innovation and commercial opportunities. Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, Culinary Management, or related field. • 10+ years of experience in Category Management, Product/Brand Management, NPD, FMCG, Food Manufacturing, or F&B. • Proven success in taking products from concept through commercial launch. • Strong knowledge of food production, food safety, and NPD processes. • Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills. • Proficiency in presentations, analytics, spreadsheets, and project management tools. Preferred Profile • Strong culinary background with experience in hospitality, foodservice, gourmet foods, or professional kitchens. • Deep understanding of international culinary trends and premium hospitality requirements. • Ability to engage with chefs, F&B leaders, and hotel decision-makers across the UAE. • Expertise in consultative selling, product demonstrations, and business development. • Skilled at translating customer needs into innovative product solutions.

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, Culinary Management, or related field. 10+ years of experience in Category Management, Product/Brand Management, NPD, FMCG, Food Manufacturing, or F&B. Proven success in taking products from concept through commercial launch. Strong knowledge of food production, food safety, and NPD processes. Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills. Proficiency in presentations, analytics, spreadsheets, and project management tools.

Drive Product Innovation: Identify market opportunities, consumer insights, and category gaps; Develop commercially viable product concepts with R&D and Culinary teams; Own concept briefs, positioning, pricing targets, and profitability plans; Lead cross-functional product development from idea to launch. Manage End-to-End Product Development: Take products from concept approval to commercial launch; Oversee specifications, costing, packaging, compliance, and launch readiness; Ensure smooth production rollout and first customer sale. Lead Brand & Packaging Experience: Translate product concepts into compelling packaging and visual assets; Collaborate with agencies, designers, photographers, and chefs; Manage artwork approvals, digital assets, and brand compliance. Build Winning Commercial Propositions: Create impactful sales presentations and product pitch decks; Develop customer-focused value propositions and category stories; Support Sales teams with tailored presentations for Retail, Hospitality, and Foodservice. Product Demonstration & Customer Engagement: Lead product tastings, demos, and customer presentations; Partner with chefs to showcase products at premium quality standards; Develop tools and processes to support scalable product demonstrations. Own Category Performance: Monitor revenue, margin, sales performance, and SKU productivity; Conduct category reviews and identify growth opportunities; Lead product optimization, renovations, pricing, and portfolio decisions; Manage a strong innovation pipeline while maximizing category profitability. Customer & Market Relationship Management: Act as the key contact for customer feedback and product requests; Build structured feedback and issue-resolution processes; Develop trusted relationships with key customer accounts and industry stakeholders; Convert customer insights into innovation and commercial opportunities.