Food Technologist in Birmingham

Office Base: London or Redditch, with a hybrid working pattern and regular collaboration with suppliers and production partners. Working Hours: Monday to Friday (9am–6pm), Permanent/Full-time. Salary: £40,000–£45,000pa. Please note: We’re not able to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

About Oddbox: As much as 2.5 billion tonnes of food are wasted globally every year – which plays a big part in the climate crisis. We’re on a mission to change that, with rescued fruit and veg from hard‑working growers as well as plastic‑free ingredients and brands that do good for the planet. With fruit, veg and more delivered right to your door, we’re working towards a fairer food system – one where growers are supported and paid fairly, where produce doesn’t have to look ‘perfect’ and, most importantly, a food system where we never waste taste. No more unnecessary air miles or plastic – just delicious food that fights waste with every box.

The Role: We’re looking for a proactive and commercially minded Food Technologist to join the Oddbox team. This role sits at the intersection of product quality, food safety, sustainability and innovation – helping ensure that every product we offer is safe, compliant, high quality and aligned with our mission to reduce food waste. You’ll play a key role in setting and maintaining technical standards across products and suppliers, while also supporting the development of new, mission‑led products and categories as Oddbox continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and manage “Gold Standard” finished product and raw material specifications, including sensory, shelf‑life and safety benchmarks.
• Ensure products remain compliant with UK food legislation and labelling requirements, including allergen regulations and Natasha’s Law.
• Develop and maintain robust supplier approval and auditing processes, ensuring high standards across third‑party suppliers and packers.
• Support traceability and recall processes through effective documentation and quality systems.
• Monitor customer complaints, quality trends and sensory performance to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Work closely with suppliers and operational teams to improve product quality, shelf life and reduce spoilage.
• Ensure intake and factory quality checks are fit for purpose and aligned to agreed specifications.
• Conduct benchmarking and sensory evaluations to maintain product quality and consistency.
• Partner with Buying and Marketing teams to support mission‑led product development and sustainable sourcing decisions.
• Build strong supplier relationships and proactively identify opportunities for new products and categories.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of food production and food safety standards (Food Safety Level 3 and HACCP Level 3 minimum).
• Ability to assess products objectively through sensory evaluation.
• Experience conducting shelf‑life validation trials and interpreting microbiological standards.
• Knowledge of UK food regulations and supplier auditing requirements.
• Strong organisational and documentation skills.
• Comfortable using data and insights to drive quality improvements and decision‑making.

Required Experience:

• 1–3+ years’ experience in a Food Technologist or similar technical role within the UK food industry.
• Experience auditing and approving suppliers.
• Experience working with short shelf‑life or fresh food products.
• Experience managing product specifications and quality standards.
• Experience working cross‑functionally with suppliers, operations or commercial teams.

Mindset & Behaviours:

• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to think quickly while maintaining food safety and quality standards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across different teams and external partners.
• Curious and creative mindset, always looking for new ways to bring Oddbox’s mission into products and categories.
• Commercially aware and able to balance innovation, quality and long‑term viability.
• Proactive, detail‑focused and comfortable working in a fast‑moving environment.
• Collaborative approach with a continuous improvement mindset.

Nice to Have:

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or Nutrition.
• Project management experience.
• Knowledge of dairy, protein or bakery categories.

Why Join Us:

• Be part of a purpose‑driven business tackling food waste and building a more sustainable food system.
• Play a key role in shaping the quality, safety and sustainability of the products our customers receive every week.
• Work across a wide range of products, suppliers and categories in a fast‑growing food business.
• Join a collaborative and down‑to‑earth team that values ideas, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Help bring innovative, mission‑led products to life while protecting the quality and integrity of the Oddbox brand.

Our Benefits Include:

• 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays + 4 “not‑sick” days + 2 volunteering days.
• £300 personal development budget + access to wider learning opportunities.
• Wellbeing support, including EAP and online GP.
• Company bonus scheme.
• Discounts on Oddbox products.
• Additional perks and savings through Perkbox.

How to Apply:

If you’re passionate about food quality, sustainability and building products that make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your CV now for immediate consideration. Apply now and help us make every box count.