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- Tasks: Manage product specifications and ensure compliance for a diverse food portfolio.
- Company: Leading food business with a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: £40,000 salary, private healthcare, 25 days holiday, free parking, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make an impact on exciting food products.
- Qualifications: Experience in food specifications and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
£40,000 DoE + Private Healthcare + 25 Days Holiday + Free Parking + Hybrid
Are you an experienced Specification Technologist or Specification Manager looking to broaden your exposure across multiple retailers, product categories and global supply partners? Would you thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where accuracy, resilience and technical expertise genuinely shape the success of every product launch?
A leading, long-established food business is seeking a proactive Specification Manager to join its growing team in a state-of-the-art site in central Leeds. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who loves food, enjoys solving complex data challenges and wants to work across a hugely varied portfolio spanning frozen chips and potatoes, fruit, vegetables, party foods and more.
Working as part of a supportive, experienced specification team, you will play a key role in ensuring that every product meets the highest levels of safety, legality, quality and compliance, while contributing directly to the successful launch of products into all major UK retailers and food service customers.
Key Responsibilities- Own and manage your customer accounts, acting as the key point of contact for all specification activity.
- Developing, completing and submitting accurate, compliant product specifications in line with customer critical paths and internal quality processes.
- Gathering, verifying and managing detailed technical data including recipes, allergen information, nutritional values, cooking instructions, micro results, storage requirements and shelf-life analysis.
- Translating complex supplier information into retailer-specific formats and ensuring all deadlines are met.
- Creating pack copy and supporting artwork processes, including liaison with printers, photography approvals and ensuring packaging meets all technical and legal standards.
- Working closely with NPD, Technical, Commercial and Supply Chain teams, and participating in weekly cross-functional retailer account meetings.
- Maintaining specifications in line with UK and EU food legislation and updating them in accordance with customer schedules.
- Experience of writing customer specifications in a food manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of food safety principles, HACCP, and quality management frameworks such as BRCGS or ISO.
- Completed legal labelling and allergen training (or is willing to refresh).
- Understands retailer specification systems and customer approval processes.
- Brings strong analytical skills and enjoys working with detailed data sets.
- Understands ingredients, recipes, nutrition and food composition.
- Communicates confidently with suppliers, retailers and internal stakeholders.
- Ideally educated to degree level in Food Science, Nutrition, Food Technology or a related discipline; however, candidates with relevant industry experience and professional training will also be considered.
Benefits include private healthcare, 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, free city centre parking, hybrid working with 1 day per week from home. This isn’t a passive data-entry role. It requires ownership, assertiveness, and the confidence to liaise directly with suppliers and retailers when information is missing or clarification is required.
If you’re an experienced specification professional who wants to work on a diverse, fast-moving product portfolio with a supportive, knowledgeable team, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today!
Specification Manager - Food in Leeds employer: MaxAd
Contact Detail:
MaxAd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specification Manager - Food in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Specification Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Familiarise yourself with their specifications and compliance standards. We want you to show them that you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one who understands their needs and can hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the job description. We suggest highlighting your knowledge of food safety principles and your analytical skills. Make it clear that you’re the proactive Specification Manager they’ve been searching for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. We’re excited to see your passion for food and your expertise in action, so let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Specification Manager - Food in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Specification Manager role. Highlight your experience in writing customer specifications and your knowledge of food safety principles. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your strong analytical skills and any experience you have with detailed data sets. We love candidates who can translate complex information into clear, compliant specifications, so let us know how you've done this in the past!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and relevant experience. We appreciate clarity just as much as you do!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we do!
How to prepare for a job interview at MaxAd
✨Know Your Specifications
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of food specifications and safety principles. Be ready to discuss your experience with writing customer specifications and how you ensure compliance with food legislation. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to talk about specific examples where you've worked with detailed data sets. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and your comfort with complex information, which is crucial for this role.
✨Communicate Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You’ll need to liaise with suppliers and retailers, so being able to communicate effectively is key. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend to refine your delivery and ensure you come across as assertive and knowledgeable.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research the company’s values and work environment. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Showing that you understand their collaborative approach and fast-paced environment will help you stand out as a candidate who fits well within their team.
