At a Glance
- Tasks: Support technical managers in supplier management and product compliance.
- Company: Join Fresh Direct, a Sysco company, known for its dynamic team culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food service while collaborating with suppliers and customers.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree in Food Science/Technology and experience in QA/QC.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Fresh Direct, a Sysco company, are currently recruiting for a Technical Assistant to join the team on a full-time, permanent basis. It will be your responsibility to provide support to the technical managers in delivering effective supplier management, product compliance, and due diligence. This role reports to the Senior Technical Manager. This role is offering a hybrid working contract, with 1 day per week in our Ashford, Bicester or Grantham offices for Team Collaboration, so you must be in a commutable distance to one of these and open to travel.
Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:
- Supplier maintenance:
- Issue and review performance scorecards
- Monitor GFSI status, responding to changes and maintaining data
- Monitor supplier SEDEX membership status, review risk reports and audit outcomes
- Ensure supplier and site contacts are up to date in relevant systems
- Monitor supplier and site (non-GFSI) certification status that may impact on chain of custody or product claims
- Monitor and report on audit status
- Product maintenance:
- Ensure routine specification reviews are completed
- Review specifications to pack copy generation stage
- Undertake product quality assessments
- Review artwork proofs
- Issue and review product scorecards to verify policy compliance
- Certification maintenance:
- Ensure certified product lists are maintained
- Complete mass balance exercises for certified ranges
- Provide certified product data for customer reporting
- Complete internal certified claim validations
About you:
The ideal candidate must have a technical background and have a full understanding within a food service / fast-paced technical team (QA/QC) with a relevant degree in Food Science/Technology. You will be able to demonstrate a good understanding of category and procurement strategies and be able to prioritise your workload and work well under pressure. This is a key role to ensure all customer complaints are investigated thoroughly so effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Ideally, you'll have good analytical skills to review data and highlight any common trends or patterns to reduce any further complaints or incidents. If you enjoy working closely with suppliers and customers, this is a great role where you will take full accountability and control to ensure the best outcome is always achieved.
Technical Assistant (Bicester) employer: Fresh Direct
Fresh Direct, a Sysco company, is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, offering a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic team, while being part of a leading organisation in the food service industry. With a focus on supplier management and product compliance, this role provides meaningful engagement with key stakeholders, ensuring a rewarding career path in a fast-paced environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Assistant (Bicester)
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like Fresh Direct.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Fresh Direct!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Fresh Direct, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at Fresh Direct, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Assistant (Bicester)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Fresh Direct, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Fresh Direct.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Fresh Direct. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Fresh Direct. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fresh Direct
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Fresh Direct’s mission.
