Executive Chef – New Product Development | Pedros Careers South Africa

April 15, 2026 admin Pedros jobs 0

Location: Newlands East, KwaZulu-Natal
Job Type: Permanent
Experience Level: Mid–Senior (Executive Level)
Closing Date: 31 May 2026
Division: Head Office
Business Unit: Product Development

About Pedros

Pedros is a fast-growing South African quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand known for its flame-grilled chicken and innovative food offerings. The company continues to expand its national footprint through strong product innovation, operational excellence, and franchise-driven growth.

With a strong focus on quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction, Pedros invests heavily in menu development and food innovation to stay competitive in the South African fast-food industry.

Position Overview

Pedros is seeking a highly creative and experienced Executive Chef – New Product Development (NPD) to lead its culinary innovation and menu expansion strategy.

This role is responsible for driving the full lifecycle of product development — from concept creation and recipe design to commercial rollout across franchise locations. The ideal candidate must combine culinary creativity with strong commercial acumen, food science understanding, and large-scale production expertise.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Innovation

  • Lead end-to-end development of new menu items from concept to rollout
  • Create seasonal, limited-time, and permanent menu innovations aligned with brand identity
  • Conduct food trend analysis and competitor benchmarking
  • Collaborate with marketing teams on product launch strategies and campaigns

Recipe Standardisation & Commercialisation

  • Translate recipes into scalable SOPs and franchise-ready formats
  • Develop precise recipe cards for high-volume kitchen environments
  • Work with procurement teams to source cost-effective and quality ingredients
  • Conduct cost-per-serving analysis and maintain food cost targets
  • Oversee pilot testing, sensory evaluations, and consumer panels

Quality, Compliance & Food Safety

  • Ensure compliance with South African food safety and labelling regulations
  • Work with QA teams on allergens, shelf-life, and nutritional standards
  • Maintain consistent product quality across all franchise outlets
  • Support training on food safety and handling procedures

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work closely with Operations, Training, and Franchise teams
  • Support product rollout and training for store-level implementation
  • Collaborate with suppliers, manufacturers, and flavour developers

Leadership & Kitchen Management

  • Mentor and support the NPD culinary team
  • Manage budgets, equipment, and production resources
  • Represent Pedros at food expos and industry events
  • Drive a culture of innovation, precision, and continuous improvement

Minimum Requirements

  • Culinary diploma or degree from a recognised institution (e.g. SA Chefs Association accredited school or equivalent)
  • Minimum 8 years professional culinary experience
  • At least 3 years in a senior or executive chef role
  • Proven experience in New Product Development (QSR/FMCG/multi-unit hospitality)
  • Strong understanding of food costing, yield analysis, and menu engineering
  • Experience scaling recipes for franchise or high-volume production
  • Knowledge of HACCP and South African food safety regulations
  • Valid driver’s licence and own vehicle
  • Willingness to travel locally and internationally when required

Core Competencies

  • Advanced culinary skills and flavour profiling
  • Strong innovation and ideation capability
  • Commercial awareness and profitability focus
  • SOP development and training design
  • Sensory evaluation and product testing
  • Supply chain and ingredient sourcing knowledge
  • Strong leadership and communication skills
  • Ability to perform under pressure and tight deadlines

Why Join Pedros?

Joining Pedros means becoming part of a dynamic and expanding QSR brand where:

  • Innovation drives national menu development
  • You influence products served across thousands of customers
  • Creativity is supported by strong operational systems
  • There is exposure to large-scale franchise operations
  • Your culinary expertise shapes brand growth and identity

POPIA Compliance Notice

All personal information submitted will be processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Data will be used solely for recruitment purposes and securely stored by the employer.

How to Apply

Applicants should apply via the official Pedros recruitment or careers platform.

Include:

  • Updated CV highlighting NPD and executive culinary experience
  • Portfolio of menu innovations or product development work (if available)
  • Evidence of large-scale or franchise food development experience
  • APPLY HERE

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