R&D Recipe Development Director

Apply now »

Date: 24 Feb 2026

Location: St Albans, GB

Company: Premier Foods

 

Based - Either St Albans (AL1 2RE), Worksop (S81 7AY) or Carlton (S71 3HF) with frequent travel to our other sites.

Permanent

 

Are you a visionary food innovator with a passion for creating products consumers love? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where curiosity, creativity and leadership come together to shape the future of iconic brands?

 

Premier Foods is looking for an exceptional R&D Recipe Development Director to play a pivotal role in transforming how we innovate, renovate and inspire through food. This is your opportunity to lead a high‑performing team, influence long‑term R&D strategy and deliver breakthrough recipe development across some of the UK’s most loved brands.

 

This is not just another R&D leadership role.

 

As our Recipe Development Director, you will turn bold business ambitions into technical reality—driving innovation, shaping our sustainability journey, and elevating the creativity and capability of a 60‑strong recipe development team. Your work will directly influence our Enriching Life Plan, helping us deliver better recipes, better packaging, and better food experiences for millions of consumers.

 

What you'll be doing?

In this exciting, hands‑on strategic role, you will:

  • Set the vision for recipe development alongside the Group R&D Director.
  • Develop and inspire a large, skilled and passionate team through exceptional leadership.
  • Build a robust innovation pipeline, using deep consumer insights and technical expertise.
  • Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of recipe solutions—from concept creation to factory implementation.
  • Shape the 2–3+ year R&D roadmap, defining platforms that excite consumers and grow the business.
  • Drive technology scouting, sustainability thinking and emerging trends exploration.
  • Strengthen internal partnerships across Marketing, Commercial, Brand, Finance and Operations.
  • Build and leverage an external network of suppliers, innovation partners and co‑manufacturers.
  • Act as a senior voice in Premier Foods’ R&D Leadership Team and SLT, helping shape the future of the function.

 

What we need from you?

You’re the kind of leader who blends technical brilliance with commercial awareness and a passion for food. Ideally, you’ll have:

  • 10+ years’ experience in R&D, recipe or product development within food or a closely related industry.
  • Extensive knowledge of ingredients, formats and manufacturing processes.
  • Expertise in experimental design, feasibility assessment, consumer testing & food safety.
  • A proven ability to formulate strategy, influence senior stakeholders and deliver at scale.
  • Experience leading large, multi‑disciplinary teams and working in highly matrixed environments.
  • A mindset that’s collaborative, curious, bold and future‑focused.

 

What we offer you in return...?

  • Competitive salary
  • Car Allowance
  • Bonus
  • Up to 7.5% pension
  • Life assurance
  • Wide range of online and in-house training
  • Access to an employee discount scheme, with access to hundreds of nationwide retailers

 

Ready to apply...?

Click apply, submitting an up-to-date CV tailored to this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you.

.

 

At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome. 

 

We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need. 

Apply now »