Specifications Technologist

Reports to: Assistant Technical & Quality Manager / Technical & Quality Manager

Based:Coleshill

Work level: 1

Role of a Specifications Technologist includes:

Reporting to the Assistant / Technical & Quality Manager, the Specification Technologist serves as a key point of contact between internal and external teams, ensuring effective communication and collaboration on all aspects of product specifications. This role involves managing product data, maintaining compliance with regulatory and customer standards, and addressing food safety and quality concerns with suppliers and other stakeholders. The position is essential to upholding the companys commitment to product quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.

Occasional travel to the Southall site will be required to support operations and align cross-functional teams.

Benefits of aSpecifications Technologist includes:

• On site parking.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Life Assurance.
• 50% Discount Off Company Purchases
• Referral Scheme.
• Long Service Award Scheme.

Key Relationships of a Specifications Technologist:

Working with the Technical Team to ensure product safety and compliance and collaborates with the Warehouse team to align specifications with storage and handling needs. Liaises with suppliers, customers, and key stakeholders to manage product information and address queries.

Supports Sales, Marketing, Customer Engagement, and NPD teams with accurate product data and coordinates with Finance to align specifications with financial requirements.

Responsibilities of a Specifications Technologist include:

• Update and maintain detailed product specifications to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and internal standards.
• Ensure all product specifications are supported by validated claims such as nutritional, health, provenance, allergen claims, RSPO, etc.
• Manage DDF internal specification databases to ensure all information is accurate, current, and accessible to relevant stakeholders.
• Validate product labels to ensure they accurately reflect specifications and comply with labelling regulations and legal requirements, working alongside the warehouse team to ensure proper implementation and adherence.
• Ensure all product information complies with current food safety standards, labelling regulations, and legal requirements.
• Monitor food safety alerts, conduct horizon scanning, and take necessary corrective actions.
• Stay informed on changes in food legislation and proactively adjust specifications and processes to maintain compliance.
• Support internal and external audits by ensuring product information and documentation are audit-ready and compliant.
• Flag audit requirements and concerns to the Technical & Quality Manager, ensuring supplier compliance.
• Liaise with suppliers to obtain accurate product information, certifications, and compliance documentation.
• Approve new suppliers, maintain supplier risk assessments, and manage supplier-related documents and lab results.
• Provide technical support to customers regarding product specifications, allergens, and compliance issues.
• Complete customer specification forms, set-up documents, samples, listing forms, and ad-hoc requests.
• Maintain and update customer portal systems such as ANDI, Nutritics, Smart Supplier, ERUDUS, etc.
• Deliver induction and food safety training for new starters, including Bakery and Warehouse personnel.
• Support the Assistant Technical & Quality Manager or Technical & Quality Manager in training teams on specification systems and compliance processes.
• Collaborate with internal teams, such as NPD and Marketing, to ensure specifications are integrated into processes effectively.
• Address discrepancies or non-conformance issues in product specifications and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Technical & Quality Manager or Technical & Quality Manager to identify and implement process improvements, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Complete general office administration tasks and provide cover for technical team absences.
• Undertake ad-hoc projects and tasks assigned by Assistant Technical & Quality Manager or Technical & Quality Manager.

Essential Experience and Qualifications of a Specifications Technologist:

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in a Specification Technologist role or a similar position within the food manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of food composition, basic nutrition, and allergen management, with an understanding of allergen awareness.
• Knowledge of food labelling legislation, regulations, and compliance standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and experience using data management systems.
• Familiarity with food safety standards, regulations, and HACCP principles (Level 2 HACCP certification is desirable).
• Experience in audits, including preparation and documentation.
• Strong project management skills and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage data accurately and effectively.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK and EU food legislation.
• Experience in delivering training on food safety, allergens, and quality systems.

Key Performance Measures of a Specifications Technologist include:

• Takes ownership of responsibilities and delivers on commitments consistently.
• Prioritises customer needs and works to provide excellent service and solutions.
• Proactively tackles tasks, makes decisions, and takes initiative to achieve objectives.
• Strives for measurable outcomes, ensuring high performance and efficiency.
• Delivers clear, concise, and impactful communication to stakeholders.
• Quickly adapts to new situations, processes, and information to improve performance.