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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure food safety and quality for itsu products while managing supplier performance.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at itsu, committed to food safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, hybrid working, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety and quality in a vibrant, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in food safety, degree in food science, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Ideal Candidate
- At least 6 years’ experience working in a food safety and technical role with manufacturing and retail/brand experience.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, microbiology and food regulations.
- Expertise in the chilled and frozen food category preferable.
- Internal & external audit experience and an understanding of requirements for GFSI accreditations.
- Excellent attention to detail whilst never losing sight of the bigger picture.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills & able to work with a number of different suppliers.
- Experience working with international suppliers (Asian suppliers preferred) and willing to lone travel to Asia.
- Line management experience preferable.
- Qualified to degree level in food science or a similar subject.
- Have a passion for food & Asian inspired food in particular.
Scope of the Role
- Responsible for the quality, safety, legality and authenticity of itsu [grocery] products and supplier performance.
- Support the Head of Technical to maintain and improve the food safety & quality management system and ensure AA Grade certification against the BRC A&B standard is maintained.
- Has ultimate accountability for certain procedures and records.
- Responsible for driving the awareness and improvement of a food safety culture and ensuring it is always considered during decision making.
- Support the Head of Technical in creating the technical strategy, implementation and embedding within the supply base.
- Manage the Category Food Technologist/Senior Food Technologist with a focus on their development plan progression.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the approval and management of suppliers.
- Ensures all safety, legal and quality information is captured and assessed within the required timeframes, kept up to date and risks successfully managed.
- Conducts food safety audits when required.
- Drive an improvement in supplier performance through relationship building, supplier reviews, KPIs and the creation of strategic technical plans.
- Analyse and interpret trends in customer complaints and product testing.
- Conducts investigations with suppliers for high risk issues and coaches the Food Technologist/Senior Food Technologist through low and medium risk investigations to identify the root cause and put corrective and preventative actions in place.
- Oversees the ongoing monitoring of product quality, safety and authenticity and the management of investigations for routine surveillance testing, shelf‑life evaluation and organoleptic testing.
- Responsible for the technical elements of NPD and EPD projects ensuring the gate process is followed, testing is completed on time for nutritional, cooking instructions and shelf life and any technical issues are foreseen and resolved prior to launch.
- Attends production trials and first productions.
- Responsible for the technical sign off at gate 2 and supports the Food Technologist/Senior Food Technologist to approve the product specifications and artwork accurately and on time.
- Signs off compliance with itsu [grocery] brand standards, labelling regulations and always has the consumer at the forefront.
Diversity & Inclusion
itsu [grocery] is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation. We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply for all of our opportunities.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Competitive bonus scheme
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (two bank holidays are interchangeable for other religious holidays)
- Health insurance
- Company pension scheme
- Hybrid working (2 days wfh)
- Opportunity to work from home abroad
- 50% employee discount in itsu shops
- Free itsu lunch
- Discounts at major retailers
- A sizeable training budget to support your ongoing development
Category Technical Manager in City of Westminster employer: Itsu Limited
Contact Detail:
Itsu Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Technical Manager in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food safety and technical field. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers and showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of food safety regulations and GFSI accreditations. Be ready to discuss your experience with international suppliers, especially in Asia, and how you've tackled challenges in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for food, particularly Asian cuisine, during interviews. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm and understanding of the market.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Technical Manager in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Category Technical Manager. Highlight your experience in food safety, technical roles, and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for food, especially Asian-inspired cuisine, and explain why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Let us know what excites you about this role!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: Since strong stakeholder management is key, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully worked with suppliers and managed relationships. We love seeing how you’ve built connections in your previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Itsu Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your food safety knowledge, especially around microbiology and regulations. Familiarise yourself with GFSI accreditations and be ready to discuss your experience with audits and supplier management.
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Since the role focuses on Asian-inspired food, share your enthusiasm for this cuisine. Talk about any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your passion and understanding of the chilled and frozen food categories.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with suppliers and stakeholders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you've built trust and collaboration across different teams.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, especially regarding supplier performance and food safety issues. Think of specific situations where you identified root causes and implemented corrective actions, and be ready to share those stories.