At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to ensure top-quality ingredients for delicious snacks and chocolates.
- Company: Zertus UK & Ireland creates innovative snacks and chocolates loved by many.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25 days leave, health care perks, and discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for training and community engagement.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in food science or related field; analytical skills and attention to detail required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Zertus UK & Ireland, we are passionate about creating delicious snacks and chocolates that people love. As we continue to innovate and expand, we are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Raw Material Technologist to join our Technical/ Supplier Assurance team and play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of our products.
As a Raw Material Technologist, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and approving material specifications for both existing and new suppliers. This role is critical in ensuring our products meet the highest standards of quality and safety, contributing directly to the company’s due diligence requirements. You’ll work closely with suppliers and internal teams, ensuring that the ingredients we use in our snacks and chocolates are top-notch.
Responsibilities
- Work across the Zertus group of Businesses to manage the raw material specification portfolio.
- Develop, risk assess, maintain, and approve material specifications for existing and new suppliers as part of the company’s due diligence program.
- Work closely with NPD and technical teams to ensure that materials specified are fit for purpose operationally and meet all legislation and Customer code of practice requirements.
- Maintain accurate information within all relevant material databases ensuring alignment with finished product specifications and managing any change with relevant teams.
- Collaborate with suppliers, collating information, specifications, and assisting the technical department with detailed customer supplier information requests and non-conformances.
- Work closely with the intake team to ensure agreed quality and testing parameters are accurate and achievable and are aligned to the approved suppliers and group material specifications.
- Maintain all raw material related data and information in a consistent way ensuring compliance with current legislation, customers codes of practice and accreditation schemes.
- Ensure supplier and material accreditation schemes such as SEDEX, RFA/UTZ, Fairtrade, Organic, Kosher & RSPO etc. are maintained throughout the material conformance process stages and ongoing compliance.
- Generate and report supplier material and specification KPI’s on a monthly basis.
- Develop a working knowledge of the snacking and chocolate industry.
Qualifications
- Scientific background: degree educated in food science, food technology, chemistry or product quality-based subject or related discipline.
- Manufacturing process experience in food or related sectors.
- Analytical and experimental skills.
- Inquisitive by nature and willingness to look for novel solutions.
- Good communication skills.
- Able to work independently and with initiative.
- Understanding of HACCP principles, nutrition information and legal compliance of materials.
- Ability to build strong relationships with suppliers and across teams within the business.
- Excellent attention to detail, good time management, highly self-motivated with outstanding diplomacy skills.
- Computer literate - Able to use Excel, Word, PowerPoint & Outlook, as well as other online software systems.
- Experience in NPD or the development of functional materials.
- Understanding of UK/EU food legislation.
- Demonstrable project and workload management skills.
- Flexible approach to a dynamic working environment.
Rewards & Benefits
- Pension (4% Employer Contributions).
- Life Assurance Scheme at x4 basic salary.
- Health Care Cash Plan via Paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling cover), along with access to Paycare Perks for exclusive high street and retailer discounts.
- 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Holiday Purchase Salary Sacrifice Scheme – buy up to one extra week per year (subject to meeting minimum criteria).
- Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice Scheme (subject to meeting minimum criteria).
- Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (subject to meeting minimum criteria).
- Family friendly policies including hybrid working opportunities and Maternity and Paternity leave above statutory minimum.
- Annual engagement calendar covering an array of activities and educational events promoting diversity and inclusion.
- Participate in supporting your local community with opportunities to spend one day per year volunteering or fundraising and gain company-matched sponsorship.
- Company Wellbeing agenda including annual Wellbeing Week, Menopause Support Group and Mental Health First Aid programme.
- Access to staff shops with exclusive discounts.
- Monthly employee recognition scheme via the ‘Zertus Values Awards’.
- Recruitment Refer a Friend rewards.
- Training and Development Opportunities (Leadership courses, External qualifications, Professional memberships).
- Engagement with GroceryAid.
Zertus UK & Ireland comprises three companies – Humdinger Foods, Kinnerton Confectionery, and Lir Chocolates. Our expertise spans the manufacturing of a diverse range of snacks and chocolates, with multiple facilities and offices strategically positioned throughout the UK and Ireland. With a commitment to innovation, we strive to craft products that captivate and delight our customers.
Our talented teams have created a growing portfolio of our own famous brands including NOMO, Sun Valley Nuts, Kinnerton Kids, The Fruit Factory, Yum & Yay, Humzingers, as well as collaborations with Bailey's, Guinness and Budweiser!
As the UK & Irish division of Zertus GmbH, headquartered in Hamburg and boasting a workforce of over 2000 employees across Europe, we are part of a dynamic and expansive global network.
When you join Zertus, you will be based at one of our Humdinger, Kinnerton, Bromborough or Lir Chocolates UK/ Ireland locations, unless your role is hybrid/home-based.
Zertus is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Your application will be reviewed and entered into the selection process; if successful, you will receive a call or email from a member of our Recruitment or HR Team. If successful following this, your application will be sent to the hiring manager for review. If selected, you will attend a two-stage interview process with one online interview and one on-site interview.
Please let us know if you require any special arrangements or adjustments to be made for your interview.
Raw Material Technologist in Fakenham employer: Zertus UK & Ireland
Zertus UK & Ireland is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises hygiene excellence in food manufacturing. Employees benefit from comprehensive healthcare cash plans, generous annual leave, and a robust pension scheme, all while having the opportunity to grow their skills in a dynamic environment focused on continuous improvement and collaboration with dedicated teams.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Raw Material Technologist in Fakenham
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and regulations in the food industry, especially those related to raw materials and quality assurance. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in your field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food science and technology sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who may provide insights or even referrals for the Raw Material Technologist position at Zertus.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've managed supplier relationships or developed material specifications in previous roles. Highlighting your practical experience will show that you can hit the ground running in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Zertus UK & Ireland's product lines and their approach to quality assurance. Being able to speak knowledgeably about their brands and how you can contribute to their mission will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Raw Material Technologist in Fakenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in food science, technology, or quality assurance. Emphasise any specific projects or roles that demonstrate your analytical skills and understanding of HACCP principles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for the food industry and detail how your background aligns with the responsibilities of a Raw Material Technologist. Mention your ability to build relationships with suppliers and your attention to detail.
Showcase Relevant Skills:Highlight your computer literacy, particularly with Excel and other software systems. Discuss any experience you have with material specifications, supplier accreditation schemes, and project management to show you meet the job requirements.
Prepare for Interviews:If selected for an interview, be ready to discuss your previous experiences in detail. Prepare examples that showcase your problem-solving skills and your ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zertus UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Materials
As a Raw Material Technologist, it's crucial to have a solid understanding of the materials you'll be working with. Brush up on your knowledge of food science and relevant legislation, as well as any specific materials mentioned in the job description. This will show your potential employer that you're serious about the role.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your analytical and experimental skills during the interview. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully assessed risks or developed specifications. This will highlight your ability to contribute to the company's due diligence requirements.
✨Showcase Communication Abilities
Since the role involves collaboration with suppliers and internal teams, emphasise your communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've built strong relationships in previous roles, and be ready to discuss how you would handle supplier interactions and technical requests.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and flexibility in a dynamic environment. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them, particularly in relation to quality assurance and compliance.
