R&D Director

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 27 April 2026
LOCATION
UK
TYPE
Other
LEVEL
Director
CATEGORY
Food & Beverage
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Menu Development Product Innovation Food Industry Experience Franchisee Collaboration Cost Management Wastage Reduction Market Trend Analysis Quality Ingredient Focus

FULL DESCRIPTION

R&D Director

[Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] UK has appointed Tom Allen as the new R&D Director, a newly created role. With 20 years of food industry experience, Allen will be responsible for the UK menu choices, focusing on innovation and maintaining the quality of existing products. He will also collaborate closely with franchisees to manage costs, reduce wastage, and gather feedback for product and process improvements.

Responsibilities

  • Lead menu innovation and development for [Employer hidden] UK.
  • Maintain focus on quality ingredients for existing products.
  • Collaborate with franchisees to manage cost of goods and wastage.
  • Gather feedback from franchisees for product and process improvements.
  • Respond to changing customer trends in the market.

Experience

  • 20 years of experience in the food industry.
  • Experience working with major food brands (e.g., M&S, Pret A Manager, KFC, Dominos Australia).
  • Experience in setting up and running a business (e.g., artisan bakery and coffee shop).
  • Experience in consulting capacity in the UK and abroad.

About the Role

Leading pizza franchise, Papa John’s has appointed Tom Allen to the newly created role of R&D director for the UK. Allen who has 20 years’ experience in the food industry will now be responsible Papa John’s UK menu choices.

Tom Allen, UK R&D director, Papa John’s explains: “I am excited to join the Papa John’s team. The company continues to expand rapidly. While having the presence of a big, established and popular brand, the management team is small enough to be flexible and can respond quickly to changing customer trends in the market. This means I have the scope to innovate and really make a difference with new product introductions, while maintaining our focus on the quality ingredients that make up our ‘old favourites’ and best-selling pizzas.

“As well as developing Papa John’s menu, I will also be working closely with franchisees. Papa John’s has well over 400 franchised stores in the UK and I will spend some time visiting stores and meeting franchisees, managers and staff. It is critically important that we manage the cost of goods and any wastage and so I need to have direct feedback from franchisees to see how we can continue to make improvements. Franchisees often come up with some great new ideas for products and process improvements too!”

Further Information

As one of the largest pizza companies in the world, Papa John’s has opportunities for franchisees throughout the UK. Help is provided with location selection and full turn-key opening of stores. As a franchise, the Company supplies all the assistance needed to get your successful Papa John’s up and running.

For further information please visit: www.papajohns.co.uk/franchise

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