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- Tasks: Ensure food safety and quality for itsu's grocery products while managing supplier performance.
- Company: Join itsu, a leading Asian-inspired healthy eating brand with global ambitions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, health insurance, and generous employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety and quality in a dynamic, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in food safety, strong knowledge of regulations, and a passion for Asian cuisine.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Category Technical Manager role at itsu.
Qualifications
- 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.
- Qualified to degree level in food science or a similar subject.
- Have a passion for food & Asian inspired food in particular.
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.
About Us
itsu is the healthy eating, Asian inspired quick service retail & grocery brand with over 70 stores in the UK and a leading grocery business across Europe and beyond. Renowned for its best-in-class food made fresh in every shop every day, itsu has huge global ambitions with a commitment to continue to open many more stores and intensify the growth of its already thriving grocery arm. With its best-is-class healthy food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.
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. Including leading on key policies and projects to drive improvement. 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.
What We Offer
- 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 employer: itsu
Contact Detail:
itsu Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Technical Manager
✨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 researching itsu and understanding their products, especially in the chilled and frozen food category. Show your passion for Asian-inspired food and how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your stakeholder management skills! Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked with suppliers and managed relationships in previous roles. This will highlight your fit for the Category Technical Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the itsu team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Technical Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Technical Manager role. Highlight your experience in food safety, technical roles, and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Show Your Passion: Don’t just list your skills; show us your passion for food, especially Asian-inspired cuisine! Share any experiences or projects that demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge in this area.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your cover letter, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so get to the point while still showcasing your personality and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at itsu
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your food safety knowledge, especially around microbiology and regulations. Be ready to discuss your experience with chilled and frozen food categories, as well as any audits you've conducted. This will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but have a solid grasp of the specifics.
✨Showcase Your Passion
itsu is all about healthy, Asian-inspired food, so let your passion shine through! Share your experiences with Asian cuisine and how it influences your work. This personal touch can really set you apart and demonstrate that you're a great cultural fit for the team.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Since strong stakeholder management is key for this role, think of examples where you've successfully managed relationships with suppliers or internal teams. Prepare to discuss how you handle conflicts or challenges, as this will highlight your communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about itsu's future plans for product development or how they maintain their food safety culture. This shows your genuine interest in the company and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.