Food Technologist - Produce

Are you passionate about food quality, sustainability, and driving positive change within the food industry? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Food Technologist to join a rapidly growing food business committed to reducing waste and creating a more sustainable supply chain. This role offers the chance to work across a diverse product portfolio while influencing product quality, supplier performance, food safety standards, and innovation.

Working closely with suppliers, operational teams, and commercial functions, you will play a vital role in ensuring products consistently meet the highest standards of safety, legality, quality, and customer satisfaction.

The Opportunity

As Food Technologist, you will take ownership of technical standards across both raw materials and finished products. You will work collaboratively with suppliers and internal stakeholders to improve quality, enhance shelf life, support product launches, and ensure compliance with UK food legislation. This is a varied position that combines technical excellence, supplier management, continuous improvement, and product development support.

Key Duties

• Develop and maintain product and raw material specifications.
• Establish and monitor quality, safety, and shelf-life standards across product ranges.
• Ensure compliance with UK food legislation, allergen management requirements, and labelling regulations.
• Manage supplier approval programmes and conduct supplier assessments and audits.
• Support product traceability, incident management, and recall procedures.
• Investigate customer feedback and quality trends, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Collaborate with suppliers and operational teams to reduce waste, improve consistency, and maximise product quality.
• Review and enhance intake and production quality control procedures.
• Conduct product benchmarking, sensory assessments, and shelf-life evaluations.
• Support new product introductions and sourcing initiatives alongside commercial and purchasing teams.
• Build strong supplier partnerships and contribute to ongoing category development.

What We're Looking For

Knowledge

• Solid understanding of food safety management systems and quality assurance principles.
• HACCP Level 3 and Food Safety Level 3 qualifications preferred.
• Knowledge of UK food legislation, retailer requirements, and supplier compliance processes.
• Experience interpreting microbiological standards and shelf-life data.
• Strong specification management experience.
• Knowledge of dairy, protein and bakery.

Experience Required

• Previous experience within a Food Technologist, Technical, QA, or Food Safety role.
• Experience working with fresh, chilled, or short shelf-life food products.
• Supplier approval, auditing, and relationship management experience.
• Proven ability to work across multiple departments and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing quality systems and technical documentation.

Personal Attributes

• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of balancing quality, cost, and innovation.
• Naturally curious with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary package.
• Hybrid working arrangement.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Additional wellbeing and volunteering days.
• Personal development and training budget.
• Employee wellbeing programme and healthcare support.
• Product discounts and employee reward platform.
• Opportunity to contribute to a business with sustainability and innovation at its core.

If you're looking for a role where you can influence product quality, work with a broad supplier base, and contribute to a business making a genuine impact within the food industry, we'd love to hear from you. Please note that sponsorship is not available for this position.