Shift:               MONDAY-FRIDAY (08.30am – 5pm)

Salary:            COMPETITIVE

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Technical Team as Specifications Technologist based at our Hamilton site as part of ‘Finsbury Food Group’.  135 years of craft baking skills lie behind the quality of the special branded cakes, sweet snacks and slices we produce in Hamilton and 55 million products are produced each year. Lightbody is the UK’s largest supplier of celebration cakes to UK retailers, with Disney, Mars, Universal and Thorntons all within the portfolio of branded cakes made under licence.  We also make a variety of  supermarkets’ well-loved own-label cakes and in-store bakery bites.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience and add value with one of the UK’s largest bakery businesses, along with great opportunities for growth and development. At Finsbury Food Group, we are passionate about investing in our teams, creating great development opportunities.

To be a success in this role, you will play a key role in ensuring the designated critical path stages between concept handover and product launches are achieved.  You’ll follow the approved procedures and controls required for the successful launch of new and revised products.  You’ll also provide comprehensive and accurate information for Internal and External Customers in a timely manner,  including Sample Submission Forms, Specifications, QAS, Weight/Trial and Launch information as required.  Carry out collaborative working alongside colleagues in Process, Development and Production.

 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.

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

What’s in it for you!

• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival!
• Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees
• Death in Service Benefit
• Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families)
• Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform!
• Company shop available at sites (heavily discounted, yummy products!)
• Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral – T&C’s dependent)
• Employee Recognition Awards· Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in-house development course!)
• An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more!

Our vision is to be the leading speciality 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.

If you are ready for a new challenge and like the sound of what’s on offer then please apply now!