Senior Food Technologist

Location: Windsor, UKJob Type: Fulltime, PermanentSalary: Up to £55,000 per annum We’re En Route.We’re a welcoming bunch, with a down-to-earth outlook that helps build lasting relationships with customers and colleagues alike.As global specialists in passenger solutions, supply chain services and sourcing for airlines and airline caterers, we operate globally as part of dnata, one of the world’s largest combined air services providers.En Route’s expertise is one of the many reasons why we’ve enjoyed more than 20 years as a global food solutions partner, with offices in the UK, USA, Australia and UAE.Are you ready to become part of our story?Job Purpose The Senior Food Technologist will provide essential support to category technologists and manage critical technical activities across various projects. Your responsibilities will include overseeing factory trials, first productions, audits, complaint management, and ensuring artwork compliance, among other tasks.Additionally, you will play a key role in managing and approving our supplier base, ensuring that specifications are accurate and up to date. You will also investigate non-conformances and collaborate as an integral member of the food safety team to enhance and improve the quality management system across all regions.Reporting directly to the Head of Technical, you will work closely with procurement, NPD, and operations/sales teams across our global offices. As Senior Food Technologist, you will provide mentorship and guidance to junior team members to support their professional growth while aligning their work with broader business goals. Your expertise will be critical in maintaining high food safety and quality standards across the Technical team and the organisation.Key ResponsibilitiesDrive continuous improvements to the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring global consistency in food safety and quality standardsManage the supplier base, ensuring due diligence and overseeing the technical aspects of the supplier approval and risk assessment program. Collaborate closely with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure all requirements are metProvide expert technical support to category technologists in managing and executing factory trials, first production runs, and auditsLead the creation and timely publishing of product technical specifications for global projects, ensuring verification and approval. Keep the technical specification portal updated for customer accessSupport the investigation of non-conformances, ensuring a proactive, timely response with detailed reports and effective corrective and preventative actionsCoordinate the surveillance program, conducting routine checks based on product, supplier, and customer risk ratingsCreate quality attribute sheets for all ER-branded products and high-profile/high-volume lines, in collaboration with suppliersProvide trend analysis on complaints and supplier performance for the wider team • Be an active member of the food safety teamTravel within the UK and internationally as needed for site visits and audits (Essential Requirement)Ensure all packaging complies with labelling legislation in relevant regions (EU/UK, US, AUS). Maintain up-to date artwork reference documentation and approve final artworkUndertake any other duties which may from time to time be assignedThis job description is not intended to be either prescriptive or exhaustive but is issued as a general framework at the time of writing.Person Specification A degree in food science/technology or a related scienceAudit lead qualification desirablePrevious experience of working in the travel sector in a supervisory quality/technical role of a food manufacturer or flight catererPeople management experience desirable, management of an individual or small team may be required as we growKnowledge & SkillsGood understanding of GFSI standards, HACCP/TACCP/VACCP and labelling legislation.Excellent verbal and written communication skillsStrong IT and report writing skillsGood organisational skillsStrong attention to detailAbility to prioritise workload, multitask and work to deadlinesAbility to work on own initiative and with multiple stakeholdersFlexible to take on extra and varied tasks when requiredEnjoy working in a fast-paced environment and able to prioritise effectivelyProactive and quick thinking in solving problemsHave a positive attitude with a strong passion for what you doBenefits Birthday day off25 days off a yearCompany bonus schemeHybrid Working (3 days in office)Medical Insurance Referral Scheme Social EventsFlexi Time