Food Technical Coordinator

Ashton Recruitment; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contribution

Learning and development opportunities

Free parking at sites

Job security in growing business

Health benefits after probation

Job summary

Ashton Recruitment is recruiting a Food Technical Coordinator for a Belfast-based food manufacturer. The role is based across two production sites with a permanent, full-time contract and a salary of £28,000-£30,000 depending on experience.

The position reports to the Technical Manager and involves ensuring food safety, quality and regulatory compliance. Key duties include assisting SALSA/Organic audits, supplier liaison, product specification management, sampling for microbiology, traceability,

Qualifications

• Two years' experience in a technical or quality role within food manufacturing or a factory setting.
• Formal qualification or degree in a food-related discipline.
• Solid understanding of food safety, quality, traceability and compliance requirements.
• Strong communication and organisational abilities.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Support SALSA and Organic audits preparations.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality and legality policies.
• Conduct and record organoleptic testing at goods-in and during shelf life.
• Collect samples for microbiological analysis and shelf-life assessment.
• Compile, review and approve product specifications.
• Complete customer specifications and technical questionnaires.
• Investigate complaints and identify root causes with appropriate close-out.
• Perform internal audits covering hygiene, CCPs and GMPs.
• Monitor corrective actions arising from audits and non-conformances.
• Maintain accurate production and quality records.
• Liaise with suppliers to meet standards for materials and packaging.
• Maintain full product traceability from intake to finished product.
• Train production operatives on quality system requirements.
• Address technical and quality issues across the business.
• Support continuous improvement across food safety and quality processes.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisation

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

IT skills (Excel)

Education

Degree in Food Science / Food Hygiene / Food Regulation or related discipline

Job description

Food Technical Coordinator

Ashton Recruitment is recruiting a Food Technical Coordinator on behalf of an established Belfast-based food manufacturing business.

Location: Belfast - working across two production sites
Salary: £28,000-£30,000, depending on experience
Hours: 37.75 hours per week
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Closing date: Thursday 3 September 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 7 September 2026

Working closely with the Technical Manager, you will help ensure that food safety, quality, legality and customer requirements are consistently maintained across the company's two production facilities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced food technical professional to join a growing business offering a varied role, competitive benefits and ongoing development opportunities.

The Role

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting preparations for SALSA and Organic audits
• Ensuring compliance with company policies relating to food safety, quality and legality
• Conducting and recording organoleptic testing at goods-in and throughout product shelf life
• Collecting product samples for microbiological analysis and shelf-life assessment
• Compiling, reviewing and approving product specifications
• Completing customer specifications and technical questionnaires
• Investigating customer and consumer complaints, identifying potential root causes and ensuring appropriate close-out
• Conducting internal audits covering hygiene, fabrication, CCPs, cleaning and good manufacturing practices
• Monitoring and completing corrective actions arising from audits and non-conformances
• Ensuring production and quality records are accurate and properly maintained
• Liaising with suppliers to ensure raw materials, ingredients and packaging meet the required standards
• Maintaining full product traceability from intake through to the finished product
• Training production operatives on quality management system requirements
• Addressing technical and quality issues raised across the business
• Supporting continuous improvement across food safety and quality processes

Essential Criteria

Applicants should have:

• At least two years' experience in a similar technical or quality role within a food manufacturing or factory environment
• A formal qualification or degree in Food Science, Food Hygiene, Food Regulation or a related discipline
• A good understanding of food safety, quality, traceability and compliance requirements
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisation and time-management abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel
• A valid driving licence and access to their own vehicle

Desirable Criteria

• Level 3 Food Safety qualification
• Level 3 HACCP qualification
• Experience supporting SALSA or Organic audits
• Previous experience working with retailer standards and specifications

Working Across Two Sites

The position is divided between two production facilities within Belfast. The successful candidate will normally spend three days at one location and two days at the other.

Occasional travel between both sites during the working day will be required. Applicants must therefore hold a valid driving licence and have access to their own vehicle.

Working Hours

• Monday to Thursday: 8.30am-5.00pm
• Friday: 8.30am-4.00pm
• Summer working hours with no reduction in pay

Benefits

• Salary of £28,000-£30,000, depending on experience
• 34 days' annual leave, including statutory and company closure days
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave after probation, subject to eligibility
• Employer pension contribution of 4%
• Health cash plan after three months
• Death-in-service benefit
• Enhanced maternity and paternity provisions
• Employee discount
• Free parking at both sites
• Learning and development opportunities

This is an urgent appointment following an internal promotion. Applications will close on Thursday 3 September 2026, with interviews taking place the following week.