Food Technologist

Food TechnologistPermanent | Monday - Friday | 08:30am - 5:00pmThis is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in supporting the technical function, ensuring that quality, safety and compliance standards are maintained throughout the supply chain while driving continuous improvement across your category.What's in it for you?In return, you'll join a dynamic and collaborative business committed to colleague development and continuous improvement, alongside a competitive benefits package including:15% discountEnhanced pension schemeLife assurance (4 x annual salary)Health and wellbeing support servicesEmployee assistance programmesElectric vehicle schemeMobile phone discountsDiscounted health assessmentsPet insurance discountsRide-to-work schemeMortgage and financial wellbeing supportWhat you'll be doingAs a key technical representative for your category, you will ensure that product safety, quality and legality remain at the forefront of all business decisions.Your responsibilities will include:Risk assessing, maintaining and implementing a UK residue testing schedule.Reviewing label confirmations to ensure all retailer requirements are met.Ensuring all company due diligence requirements are maintained and up to date.Managing supplier approvals and maintaining due diligence controls for suppliers, sites and specifications through internal and external platforms.Acting as the category technical representative during site audits and supporting traceability exercises, ensuring all corrective actions are completed and closed out.Managing specification amendments and communicating updates to all relevant stakeholders.Compiling technical reports and analysing data to support business decisions.Managing benchmarking sessions, including competitor shopping activities, and sharing results with key stakeholders.Providing regular category updates and technical performance reporting.Feeding back technical and quality performance information to suppliers.Collating and publishing weekly crop reports and relevant category data.Monitoring supplier responses to product rejections and ensuring records are maintained in line with company procedures.Supporting supplier reviews with relevant technical and category information.Building strong working relationships with internal teams, retail customers and suppliers.Raising purchase orders, receipting invoices and supporting technical administration where required.Communicating relevant government and regulatory updates to key stakeholders.What we're looking forWe're looking for a technically minded fresh produce professional who combines strong attention to detail with excellent communication, organisational and analytical skills.You'll ideally have:A qualification in Agriculture, Food Science or a related scientific discipline.Strong analytical and data interpretation skills with a logical, evidence-based approach.Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word.The ability to confidently solve problems and make informed decisions.Strong report writing skills and the ability to communicate technical information clearly.Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective supplier relationships.A full UK driving licence, valid passport and access to your own vehicle, with flexibility to travel regularly.If you're looking to develop your technical career, we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Oskar atTPBN1_UKTJ