Food Process Technologist

Kepak Group; Merthyr Tydfil; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company in Merthyr Tydfil is seeking a qualified professional to lead the New Product Development (NPD) projects. The role demands ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and collaborating closely with production and culinary teams. The ideal candidate should have a degree in Food Science and proven experience in food manufacturing. Competitive benefits and a positive workplace culture are offered.

Benefits

Subsidised canteen

31 days annual leave

Employee Discount Platform

Hamper at Christmas

Company Pension

Refer a Friend Scheme

GroceryAid Employee Assistance Program

Long Service Awards

Bike to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience within food manufacturing or product development.
• Hands-on experience with factory trials and process validation highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of New Product Development (NPD).
• Collaborate with culinary teams to scale recipes to production.
• Ensure food safety, quality, and compliance requirements are met.

Skills

Understanding food safety regulations

Leadership in product development

Problem-solving skills

Collaboration with teams

Data analysis

Technical reporting

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Job description

Kepak is a leading food company with 16 manufacturing sites and over 4,500 employees across Ireland and the UK, with a turnover of €1.75 billion. The Group operates across three divisions: the Foods Division, Meat Division UK, and Meat Division Ireland. Guided by our values—Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and Teamwork—we are committed to operating as a successful, sustainable, future‑ready business that is a great place to work. We supply fresh and value‑added meat based products to retail and foodservice through private label and our own brands, including Rustlers, Big Al's and John Stone.

Kepak Meat Division UK operates across 3 manufacturing sites with 2,000 employees, producing a range of quality meat and protein‑based food products for retail and foodservice customers. The division focuses on providing exceptional service and value to our stakeholders.

This position is Monday - Friday - 37.5 hours.

Requirements

• Understand and adhere to company health and safety policies and procedures
• Contribute to health, safety and wellbeing at the site ensuring safe working practices and supporting a positive safety culture
• Lead the technical delivery of New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) projects
• Read and interpret customer product briefs from a food safety perspective and highlight areas for review with NPD team
• Collaborate with NPD and culinary teams to scale recipes from kitchen concepts to full‑scale production
• Support in the scoping, planning & preparation, for all product trials, ensuring attendance as required
• Delivering product to launch from pre‑productions or equivalents, ensuring all relevant & supporting documentation is complete and in place in advance of launch
• Ensure first productions run smoothly, confirming all food safety, quality and compliance requirements are adhered to
• Manage and lead all factory validations as required, whether annual or adhoc basis, ensure all key stakeholders are engaged as part of the process
• Prepare and deliver clear food safety and quality data reports, feedback in a timely manner, providing visibility of progress and outcomes across the business
• Ensure projects are completed smoothly, accurately, and on time
• Develop, implement & update where relevant the Line Quality Attribute Standards (QAS) aligned with NPD/EPD requirements, ensure all changes are managed though the document control system and issued appropriately
• Update & manage distribution of Raw material spec changes, align with Butchery specialist & NPD teams accordingly, ensure all changes are managed though the document control system and issued appropriately
• Review and feedback all NPD & EPD changes, on all customer specifications for the site, ensuring accuracy, compliance to food safety & quality standards & customer expectations
• Manage change trackers to provide visibility of project status, version control, and upcoming changes
• Review & feedback comments on all live customer specifications for the site, ensuring accuracy, compliance, on an annual basis
• Review and approve FS&Q aspects of the customer product specifications, labels and artwork designs
• Control packaging and labelling transitions from a documentation change process, ensure the teams are aware of changes and details is clear & concise, confirm removal of redundant items, and coordination with operations and supply chain to minimise disruption
• Maintain an up‑to‑date packaging and label library for all customer product specifications
• Sign off & approve new packaging before used on product, at intake, verifying against pack copies before changes
• Update and maintain all relevant specification information within business systems, as directed
• Review and approve supplier specifications to ensure compliance with food safety legislation, internal standards, as part of the scope of NPD Process
• Manage & maintain the annual Product compliance aspects as required, shelf life verification & Nutritional verification
• Validate and verify product claims and liaise with suppliers on any relevant updates or non‑conformances

Ambition

• Analyse production processes to identify opportunities for cost reduction, yield improvement, waste minimisation, and efficiency gains
• Troubleshoot processing issues, implementing corrective actions to minimise downtime and protect food safety and quality
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance food safety and quality processes and embed best practice
• Be proactive in identifying areas for improvement in terms of ensuring best in class product and process to deliver and exceed on customer expectations
• Keep up to date on digital technology to enhance and streamline processes and document management
• Train and coach operations and FS&Q teams on new food safety and quality requirements highlighted as part of NPD & EPD process to ensure compliance
• Liaise with quality assurance teams on training requirements for new product launches
• Work closely with Operational teams to train and deliver, successful launches, on time in full
• Partner with purchasing, operations, QA, NPD, engineering, supply chain, and commercial teams to enable smooth product launches and process changes
• Build and maintain positive and professional relationships with site & Group teams and support functions to ensure effective collaboration and successful project and process outcomes
• Support the site team in all engagement with external stakeholders including auditors, customers and regulatory bodies and maintain highest level of professionalism
• Embodies the company values by contributing to an inclusive, respectful and high performing culture focused on employee health, safety and wellbeing
• Proactively engage with the enhancing performance process and actively seek to develop new skills and business knowledge

Passion for Food

• Develop, review, maintain & update internal QAS documentation for retail products
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, BRC, customer codes of practice, and retailer‑specific standards
• Maintain accurate food safety and quality records for trials, formulations, and process parameters
• Provide technical food safety and quality documentation and insights to support audits and customer visits
• Support the QA team during internal and external audits and regulatory reviews by providing up to date documentation
• Understands customer needs and market dynamics and focuses on ensuring an approach to product and process that enhances Kepak reputation as a best in class, cost competitive supplier
• Keep up to date with customer food safety policies and specifications and share relevant insights with the team

Role Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline
• Proven experience within food manufacturing, product development, or a related technical role
• Hands‑on experience with factory trials, scale‑up processes, and process validation is highly desirable
• Exposure to working with retailers, suppliers, and cross‑functional teams would be advantageous
• In‑depth knowledge of food processing technologies, equipment, and manufacturing environments
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations, compliance standards, and quality management systems (e.g., HACCP, BRC, retailer standards)
• Proficiency in data analysis, technical reporting, and process documentation to support decision‑making and continuous improvement
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical mindset, with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues
• High level of attention to detail, organisation, and accuracy
• Project management experience and understanding of lean principles

Benefits

• Subsidised canteen serving multiple hot food options for breakfast and lunch
• 31 days annual leave per year (after probation)
• Employee Discount Platform - All Kepak employees are entitled to access to the WrkIt platform, which offers significant discounts and cashback with hundreds of brands.
• Hamper at Christmas for all employees.
• Company Pension
• Employee Discount Platform - All Kepak employees are entitled to access to the WrkIt platform, which offers significant discounts and cashback with hundreds of brands.
• Refer a Friend Scheme - Earn up to €500 for successfully referring a friend or family member to Kepak Group.
• GroceryAid Employee Assistance Program - help with a wide range of topics including mental health and wellbeing support, family and relationship advice, debt management, back to work support, and counselling for all Kepak colleagues and their families.
• Long Service Awards - We recognise, acknowledge and award the dedication and valuable contribution of long serving employees
• Bike to Work Scheme - You can buy a bike and safety equipment through a salary sacrifice scheme which reduces your taxable income - meaning you pay less tax!