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- Tasks: Lead food safety projects, manage supplier relationships, and oversee quality standards.
- Company: Join En Route, a global leader in airline catering solutions with over 20 years of expertise.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values innovation and quality in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in food science/technology and experience in a supervisory quality role required.
- Other info: Travel within the UK and internationally is essential for site visits and audits.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Windsor, UK
Job Type: Fulltime, Permanent
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 Responsibilities
- Drive continuous improvements to the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring global consistency in food safety and quality standards.
- Manage 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 met.
- Provide expert technical support to category technologists in managing and executing factory trials, first production runs, and audits.
- Lead the creation and timely publishing of product technical specifications for global projects, ensuring verification and approval.
- Keep the technical specification portal updated for customer access.
- Support the investigation of non-conformances, ensuring a proactive, timely response with detailed reports and effective corrective and preventative actions.
- Coordinate the surveillance program, conducting routine checks based on product, supplier, and customer risk ratings.
- Create quality attribute sheets for all ER-branded products and high-profile/high-volume lines, in collaboration with suppliers.
- Provide trend analysis on complaints and supplier performance for the wider team.
- Be an active member of the food safety team.
- Travel 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 artwork.
- Undertake any other duties which may from time to time be assigned.
This 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 science.
- Audit lead qualification desirable.
- Previous experience of working in the travel sector in a supervisory quality/technical role of a food manufacturer or flight caterer.
- People management experience desirable, management of an individual or small team may be required as we grow.
Knowledge & Skills
- Good understanding of GFSI standards, HACCP/TACCP/VACCP and labelling legislation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong IT and report writing skills.
- Good organisational skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritise workload, multitask and work to deadlines.
- Ability to work on own initiative and with multiple stakeholders.
- Flexible to take on extra and varied tasks when required.
- Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and able to prioritise effectively.
- Proactive and quick thinking in solving problems.
- Have a positive attitude with a strong passion for what you do.
Senior Food Technologist employer: En Route International
Contact Detail:
En Route International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Food Technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with GFSI standards and HACCP principles, as these are crucial for the Senior Food Technologist role. Being able to discuss these topics confidently during your interview will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to food safety.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food technology sector, especially those who have experience in airline catering or travel-related food services. This can provide you with valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with managing supplier relationships and technical audits. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully improved quality management systems or resolved non-conformances, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership abilities by preparing examples of how you've mentored or guided junior team members in previous roles. This will be important as the position involves providing support and direction to less experienced colleagues.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Food Technologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in food science or technology, particularly in quality management and supplier oversight. Emphasise any previous roles that involved working with GFSI standards or HACCP.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food safety and quality management. Mention specific experiences that align with the responsibilities of the Senior Food Technologist role, such as managing factory trials or collaborating with stakeholders.
Showcase Your Skills: Highlight your strong organisational skills and attention to detail in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed multiple projects or tasks in a fast-paced environment, as this is crucial for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are key traits for the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at En Route International
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
As a Senior Food Technologist, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of GFSI standards, HACCP, and labelling legislation. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you applied this knowledge to improve food safety and quality.
✨Highlight Your People Management Skills
Since the role involves mentoring junior team members, share instances where you've successfully led a team or provided guidance. Discuss how you foster collaboration and support professional growth within your team.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, especially regarding non-conformances and audits. Prepare to explain how you would handle specific situations, focusing on your proactive approach and attention to detail.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Food Safety
Convey your enthusiasm for maintaining high food safety and quality standards. Share your insights on current trends in the food industry and how they relate to the role, showing that you're not just qualified but genuinely passionate about the field.
