We have an opportunity for a Specifications Technologist/Coordinator to join our Technical team here at our Nicholas and Harris division within Finsbury Food Group. Our Nicholas and Harris site has over a 180 years of heritage in craft baking methods. If you like artisanal, organic and speciality breads, or have special dietary or nutritional preferences, our Salisbury bakery has you covered.

This role offers Hybrid and Homeworking. This is a great opportunity for someone to gain experience with one of the UK largest bakery businesses, working with the major Retailers and Food Service clients across the UK. They’ll work with a friendly and engaging team, which offer opportunities for growth and long term career development.

The Specifications Technologist will play a key role in ensuring the designated critical path stages between concept handover and product launches are achieved, with comprehensive communications of project statuses maintained with all stakeholders. They will ensure that the approved procedures and controls required for the successful launch of new and revised products are followed. They will provide comprehensive and accurate information for Internal and External Customers, including Sample Submission Forms, Specifications, QAS, Trial and Launch information as required. The Specifications Technologist will work as part of the Technical team and work alongside colleagues in Process, NPD, Operations and Engineering. They will be instrumental to facilitating the production of great value, safe, innovative and quality assured food.

To be a success in this role, the Specifications Technologist will have worked in a similar position within Food Manufacturing. They will have good up-to-date knowledge of legislation regarding the labelling of food products and ideally client systems experience. They will also have excellent communications skills and be able to build effective relationships across the business as part of a team. They will also have a passion for the Food industry and be able to challenge effectively.

This is what you'll actually do!

As the Specifications Technologist you will ensure all required internal and external documentation is completed to specification, ensuring traceability of any changes to recipe or process are communicated to all stakeholders. You’ll advise NPD Department, via the Site Technical Manager throughout the project on timings of achievable Customer information completion dates. You’ll also demonstrate a detailed practical knowledge of current manufacturing processes, to ensure customer specifications fully reflect the capabilities of the Factory. Be cognisant of the recognised Company HACCP system, highlighting any issues with complying with the agreed standards

As the Specifications Technologist you will support Factory Trials for Customer and Internal requirements ensuring that documentation is fully completed and actions followed up as necessary and any issues are communicated fully. You’ll ensure suitable, representative and appropriate testing methods and parameters for product components and finished products are documented.

Also you will check artwork and packaging against agreed Pack copy, Legal and Company requirements and Ingredient Specifications ensuring any non-compliance with the specification is reported and followed up. Along with the maintenance of technical aspects of the systems, while adapting to new ways of working driven by the implementation of new systems. With maintenance of all relevant customer portals – highlighting and responding to alerts and escalating to the Line manager. You will also be responsible for Raw material and Packaging specifications management (approval process) and supporting on group supplier audit where appropriate.

Ideally this is you!

• Graduate level with qualifications in Food Science, Technology or Nutrition
• Previous experience in a similar position with the Food Manufacturing sector
• Awareness of nutrition, food tolerance, allergens
• Good communication skills – Must be able to communicate effectively with all relevant departments
• Good organisation and administration skills – must be able to multi task and prioritise
• Up to date knowledge of legislation regarding the labelling of food products
• 
  Ideally experience of retailer specifications systems and requirements 

Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you please get in contact to learn more!