Menu Development Specialist

Menu Development Specialist

Inspire Culinary Innovation. Empower Teams. Delight Clients.

Are you a passionate culinary professional ready to shape the future of food experiences? Join us as a Menu Development Specialist, where your creativity, leadership, and client focus will help define our culinary identity and drive operational excellence.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives on innovation, values collaboration, and is committed to delivering exceptional, client-centered menus that balance nutrition, sustainability, and cost-efficiency. This Role sits with a larger Centralised Culinary Team and reports to the General Manager of Culinary.

What You'll Do
Menu Innovation & Culinary Leadership

• Design seasonal, bespoke, and client-specific menus that reflect current trends and our brand values.
• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure quality, availability, and cost-effectiveness of ingredients.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to keep our offerings fresh and commercially viable.
• Support sites with mobilization menus and system updates, using internal tools.
• Provide expert guidance and support across Compass Group as a subject matter expert in our Menu Management System (MMS).

Client Engagement

• Partner directly with clients to understand their needs and preferences.
• Present menu concepts and lead tastings to ensure satisfaction and alignment.
• Act as a culinary ambassador, delivering exceptional service and responsiveness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Area and General Managers, Event and Marketing teams to align menus with business goals.
• Contribute to kitchen design, workflow optimization, and equipment selection.
• Support initiatives that enhance culinary delivery and elevate the customer experience.

Training & Capability Building

• Develop and deliver training programs for chefs and food service teams, focusing on culinary skills, food safety, and presentation.
• Mentor junior team members and foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
• Provide system training and support to stakeholders involved in menu development.

What You Bring

• A minimum of 10 years' experience in professional culinary environments, with a strong background in menu development and leadership.
• Proven experience in client-facing roles and stakeholder engagement.
• Deep knowledge of food safety, kitchen operations, and cost control.
• A culinary degree or equivalent certification is preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Familiarity with menu management systems (e.g., Jaleh, Saffron, Foodworks) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing

We are committed to a culture of safety and wellbeing. You'll be expected to:

• Follow all health, safety, and environmental policies and procedures.
• Promote a safe and inclusive workplace by speaking up, staying mindful, and getting involved.
• Report hazards and incidents promptly and contribute to continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

At Compass Group, we believe in creating opportunities for everyone. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive environment where all team members feel valued and empowered to thrive.

If you're ready to lead with purpose, inspire culinary excellence, and make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.

The Benefits

Working with a large global company means you can be assured that we have an attractive benefits program This includes comprehensive learning & development offerings, a variety of recognition programs and company discounts, an excellent salary benchmarking matrix and at this management level also includes an incentive bonus scheme You can read all about these here: Why work at Compass

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible for all. If you require adjustments or alternative methods of communication in the recruitment process, please reach out to us on either 1300TALENT or -

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