Job SearchFood Development Officer

Food Development Officer

Posted 20th May 2026

REFERENCE

30696_1779268855

Location
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Salary
Up to£14.27/hr
Job Type
Permanent

Are you passionate about food innovation, quality, and delivering exceptional catering services? Vertas is looking for a dedicated Food Development Officer to join our Catering Team.

Who are Vertas?
Vertas delivers trusted, integrated facilities management solutions across Great Britain. Our team of 5,000 colleagues provides a comprehensive range of facilities services, including cleaning, catering, property design, recruitment, transport, and environmental management. You'll find us putting the customer at the heart of everything we do, while prioritising our colleagues' health, safety and wellbeing

About the Role:
Based in Rainworth - NG21 0HJ you will be working full time, 37 hours per week. You'll play a key role in supporting the delivery of a high quality, compliant and commercially effective food offer across Vertas catering operations, ensuring menus are innovative, nutritionally balanced and meet School Food Standards.

Your responsibilities will include:
* Supporting the development, implementation and continuous improvement of menus across catering operations
* Assisting with recipe and food development, ensuring meals are nutritionally balanced and cost effective
* Supporting allergen management and medical diet provision, ensuring compliance with legislation and accurate record keeping
* Maintaining digital food systems including recipes, allergen and nutritional platforms
* Liaising with procurement teams and suppliers to source quality, sustainable products
* Researching, trialling and evaluating new dishes and products
* Carrying out quality audits of food standards, service and presentation across sites
* Supporting catering teams with training, guidance and best practice
* Supporting pupil engagement activities such as tastings and menu initiatives
* Support the planning and delivery of innovative food initiatives and events, including pop-ups, themed catering, community engagement activities and promotional campaigns to enhance the food offer and drive uptake

Who are we looking for?
* Previous experience within catering or food services environments, schools experience desirable
* Strong knowledge of food standards, allergen legislation and school food requirements
* Experience of menu and recipe development with cost control awareness
* Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
* Enhanced DBS check is required - if you do not currently hold one, you must be willing to obtain it
* Strong communication skills with the ability to engage a range of stakeholders
* A team player providing an excellent service across the Vertas Group
* The ability to make the best decisions with Vertas in mind
* The ability to adapt and respond to change in a growing organisation

What You'll Bring
* A passion for food quality, innovation and customer service
* Excellent organisational and time-management skills
* Strong IT skills including Microsoft Excel
* NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
* The right to work in the UK

* You must be able to drive and travel between sites

Apply Today
If you're ready to bring your skills to a company that values people and places, apply now and start your journey with Vertas

Apply today

Share this job

Ready to get in touch?Let's talk.

Speak to our team today and let's shape your hiring or career journey.
Get in Touch

Our Partners

Partner 1
Partner 2
Partner 3
Partner 4
Partner 5