Specification Manager

Specification Manager

Full-Time 35000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Pret A Manger

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Ensure product specifications are accurate and compliant for high-quality food delivery.
  • Company: Join Pret, a vibrant company dedicated to customer joy and quality.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus potential, and a Gold Card for free drinks.
  • Other info: Opportunities for growth, community impact, and a diverse, inclusive workplace.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team that values kindness and exceptional service every day.
  • Qualifications: Strong knowledge of food labelling legislation and excellent attention to detail required.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.

We’re looking for passionate team players to bring joy to our customers every day. As a Specification Manager, you’ll be responsible for ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and compliance of product specifications across Pret’s supply base and internally. This role involves the management of specification systems, oversees supplier-submitted data, generates labelling information and reviews artwork, labelling and other customer facing information to ensure accuracy and alignment with regulatory and brand standards. By maintaining detailed and reliable product information, the role supports safe, transparent, and high‑quality food delivery across all markets. This role reports into the Senior Specification Manager as part of the compliance team, working closely with suppliers, internal and cross‑functional teams.

Key responsibilities

  • The administration and continuous improvement of Pret’s specification management systems.
  • Ensure data on raw material specs and finished product specs is completed accurately by both suppliers and internal teams, in line with critical paths.
  • Working alongside technical managers, review and approve supplier specifications, ensuring all product data—such as ingredients, allergens, and nutritional values are accurate and compliant.
  • Support suppliers with system onboarding, guidance and training to ensure timely and accurate submissions.
  • Support global teams to drive standards and consistency on checks and data management.
  • Ensuring compliance to UK and international labelling legislation and completes the calculation and validation of HFSS scores.
  • Support with artwork and packaging reviews to ensure they align with specifications, legal requirements, and brand standards, in collaboration with technical and marketing teams, targeting V2 approval.
  • Be part of the business transformation projects including the introduction of full ingredient labelling, ensuring markets can undergo a successful transition when the time comes.
  • Audit Compliance - To comply with Pret's internal audit requirements and ensure thorough due diligence and processes are properly documented and systematically tracked at all times.

Experience and Skills required

  • Strong technical knowledge of food labelling legislation and specification management.
  • Experience working with specification systems (e.g. Hamilton Grant or similar).
  • Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage data.
  • Ability to manage critical paths and project timelines, ensuring milestones are delivered on time and risks to delivery are identified and mitigated proactively.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • A proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and problem-solving.
  • Experience working within retail or foodservice supply chains.
  • Ability to work cross‑functionally and influence without direct authority.

About you

  • Be kind, honest and generous: bring genuine warmth and your authentic self to work every day.
  • Bring your passion: share our passion for food and exceptional customer service.
  • Spread joy every day: small acts of kindness are a big part of what makes the Pret experience special.

We offer

  • A competitive salary range plus a bonus potential of 10%.
  • Gold Card: We love making people’s day through our food and drinks. That goes for our teams too. That’s why everyone gets a Gold Card. When you’re in the office, your food and drinks are on us. And when you’re not, you can use your Gold Card to get up to 5 Barista‑made drinks a day, and 50% off everything else (food, snacks, bottled drinks – the lot).
  • You’ll get 33 days of annual leave (including flexible Bank Holidays), increasing to 38 days the longer you’re with us.
  • Free private medical cover, with the option to add family or partner at an additional cost.
  • 4% of your pension contribution matched by Pret, rises to 5% after 5 years.
  • Life assurance at 3x annual salary.
  • Loyalty award for 5, 10, 15, 20 years’ service.
  • Flexible Benefits Platform packed with lifestyle discounts.
  • Season ticket loans.
  • Financial wellbeing provisions.
  • Free mortgage services.
  • Sabbatical after 3 years.
  • Opportunities to support our charity, The Pret Foundation.

We also offer

  • Individual ways to grow - We offer lots of opportunities for learning, whether you join us for a short stint or the long game, you’re good to grow with us. Including fully funded professional qualifications, leadership development and mentoring.
  • Diversity and belonging - Everyone is welcome at Pret, we want you to feel confident and valued for who you are and to truly belong.
  • Pace and variety - Our work is fast paced with lots of variety, you’ll build a diverse skill set and learn a lot!
  • Community and purpose - We’re proud to make a difference through The Pret Foundation, from tackling homelessness to reducing food waste and creating positive change for people and communities.

Our values

  • Happy Teams Happy Customers.
  • Amazing Standards Every day.
  • Doing The Right Thing.
Pret A Manger

Contact Details:

Pret A Manger Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Specification Manager

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We think you need these skills to ace Specification Manager

Technical Knowledge of Food Labelling Legislation
Specification Management
Attention to Detail
Data Management
Project Management
Critical Path Management
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Pret A Manger, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!

Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Pret A Manger.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Pret A Manger. Make it personal and compelling!

Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Pret A Manger. It shows you're committed to your professional development.

How to prepare for a job interview at Pret A Manger

Know Your Lab Tech!

Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.

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Emphasise Your Soft Skills

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