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- Tasks: Create and manage product specifications for major UK retailers in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join a leading food manufacturer with a focus on quality and compliance.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact by ensuring products meet legal and customer standards.
- Qualifications: Experience in food specifications and knowledge of UK food legislation required.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a chance to collaborate across various teams.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Retail Specifications Technologist is responsible for the accurate creation, maintenance, and submission of customer-facing product specifications for major UK retailers. Working closely with NPD, Technical, Quality, and Commercial teams, the role ensures all product data is compliant with legal, customer, and internal requirements, supporting successful product launches and ongoing supply.
Key Responsibilities
- Create, maintain, and update end-to-end product specifications for retailer own-label and branded products.
- Manage specifications through retailer portals.
- Ensure all data is accurate, complete, and submitted within agreed timelines.
- Maintain version control and audit-ready records for all specifications.
Compliance & Legislation
- Ensure all specifications comply with current UK and EU food legislation, including:
- Food Information Regulations (FIR)
- Allergen labelling
- Nutrition, ingredient declarations
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Liaise with NPD to support new product development, launches, and artwork sign-off.
- Work with Quality and Technical teams to ensure alignment with HACCP, risk assessments, and factory capabilities.
- Communicate with suppliers to obtain accurate raw material and packaging information.
Key Accountabilities
- Right-first-time specification submissions.
- On-time completion of customer and internal deadlines.
- Accuracy of allergen, ingredient, and nutritional information.
- Maintenance of compliant, audit-ready specification systems.
Skills & Competencies
- Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of UK food legislation and retailer technical standards.
- Experience using retailer specification systems and internal specification software.
- High attention to detail with the ability to manage large volumes of data accurately.
- Confident interpreting ingredient specifications, allergen matrices, and nutritional data.
- Well organised with strong time management skills.
- Able to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proactive, methodical, and solutions-focused.
- Confident working independently and as part of a team.
Knowledge & Experience
- Essential:
- Experience in a food manufacturing environment in a specifications, technical, or quality role.
- Experience managing retailer specifications for UK multiples.
- Working knowledge of food labelling and allergen legislation.
Working Conditions
- Office-based with some flexibility for hybrid working.
- May require flexibility to meet customer deadlines.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Specification accuracy and right-first-time submissions.
- Compliance with customer and legislative requirements.
- Timeliness of submissions and updates.
- Audit and customer feedback.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be reviewed or amended in line with business needs.
Retail Specifications Technologist employer: Northern Soul Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Northern Soul Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Specifications Technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their values and how your skills as a Retail Specifications Technologist can help them succeed. Tailor your answers to show you're the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. This will help you articulate your experience and skills confidently when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are passionate about joining our team. Plus, it shows you're proactive and keen to be part of our journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Specifications Technologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Retail Specifications Technologist role. Highlight your experience in food legislation and specifications management, as well as any relevant skills that match the job description.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: Since this role requires a high level of accuracy, use your application to demonstrate your attention to detail. Include examples of how you've managed large volumes of data or ensured compliance in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your cover letter, be clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain why you're a great fit for the role and how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern Soul Recruitment
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on UK food legislation and the specific requirements for allergen labelling and nutritional information. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you understand the core responsibilities of the Retail Specifications Technologist role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Specification Systems
Get to know the retailer specification systems and any internal software that might be used. If possible, try to find out which systems the company uses and mention your experience with similar tools during the interview. This will demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Highlight Your Attention to Detail
Prepare examples from your past work where your attention to detail made a significant impact. Whether it was catching an error in a product specification or ensuring compliance with regulations, showcasing your meticulous nature will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to discuss how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Share specific instances where you liaised with different departments or suppliers to achieve a common goal, highlighting your communication skills and teamwork.
