Food Development Manager

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Role Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Food Development Manager to join our Restaurant - CSO team in this home based role. You will support the strategic proposition with the development of food menus that delight our customers and provide our teams with opportunities to develop their skills. Working with restaurant teams to ensure consistent offerings across the estate and smooth transitions as the menus change from season to season.

Role Responsibilities

• Responsible for industry wide research to ensure Dobbies food offer is on trend and competitive
• Responsible for all recipe and methodology creation in line with company food safety policy
• Manage and lead the menu stage gate process in terms of menu development
• Supporting the Head of Product to ensure menu development is achievable
• Support the coaching and development of key team members to support a smooth menu transition
• Work in partnership with Finance to create accurate menu margin models to report on theoretical GP for individual dishes
• Liaise with L&D to ensure the roll out of training new skills for menu execution including training guides and materials
• Produce and communicate the weekly product updates as required
• Work in partnership with Procurement to ensure appropriate product replacement and substitution sign off and ensure profitability is maximised via product consolidation and redundant stock utilisation
• Track the commercial implications of a project or concept in a logical, structured way to ensure a successful business outcome
• Advise the business on the best equipment to aid commercial performance
• An effective coach with the ability to provide direct, honest and constructive feedback
• Self-aware and open to feedback; does not become defensive when receiving feedback but sees it as an opportunity to grow & develop
• Adapts quickly to change, effectively prioritises workload to meet deadlines / targets
• Resilient, confident and able to admit mistakes and learn from them

Measures of Success

• There is a clear strategy to develop the food and drink menu aligned to the Restaurant proposition
• There is a food development calendar communicated to the business
• Margin improvement opportunities are aligned to the food development calendar
• Tools are developed and embedded to support the delivery of consistent food standards across all restaurants
• Restaurant NPS growth with positive feedback on menu, food quality, appearance and taste
• Positive menu feedback is received from across the business
• You attract & engage potential suppliers

What we offer

• Holiday - enjoy a well deserved break with 33 annual leave days per year (pro-rata for part time)
• Discount - treat yourself with generous uncapped discount across our stores with 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre and 10% off in our food halls
• Hybrid working - a combination of office and home working to help balance your work life balance
• Pension - save for the future with our company contributed enhanced Group Pension Plan
• Season ticket loans - spread the cost of travel with an interest free loan
• Access to Wagestream - support your financial wellbeing, with ability to access earnings ahead of pay day, save for the future and financial advice
• Access to Retail Trust - seek confidential support, access to a Virtual GP, free counselling service and discounted retail rewards with our employee wellbeing platform
• Access to Dobbies Academy - continue your development with our eLearning platform and development programmes
• Study assistance - invest in your professional development with funded courses and qualifications
• The little things to keep you going through the day - free tea, coffee, and milk
• Collaborative office space - with access to our wellbeing room, learning resources and even a book swap
• Invites to our annual company conference, summer and Christmas social events

About us

At Dobbies, we're proud to have a history dating back to 1865. We were founded by James Dobbie and are the only garden centre retailer to have stores in every nation across the UK.

Our passion and joy for gardens and plants is what makes us special. In our stores, we showcase this through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services. We champion garden living all-year-round.

Many of our stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, where customers can enjoy refreshments or meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

We offer a calendar of events and experiences that bring people and communities together, and we have a national charity partner that both our colleagues and customers raise money for,

We're committed to being a great place to work. We're one team and we encourage our colleagues to be the best version of themselves, every day; to share their wins and celebrate success. Together, we make it work for our customers.