Food Technologist

Extons Foods Ltd; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the cheese processing industry seeks a Technical Services & Compliance professional in Greater Manchester. The role involves ensuring product compliance and offering exceptional technical support to customers while collaborating with various teams on new product launches. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and at least three years of experience in a similar role, along with a passion for service excellence.

Benefits

Profit share scheme

Health cash plan

23 days holiday plus bank holidays

Extra day off for birthday

Company pension scheme

FREE pack of cheese weekly

Discounted staff cheese shop

Company paid events

Qualifications

• Experience in a compliance-driven environment, like BRC.
• Minimum 3 years in a similar FMCG role.
• Strong understanding of food legislation.

Responsibilities

• Manage technical customer service queries.
• Oversee new product development process.
• Conduct monthly audits and investigations.

Skills

Attention to detail

Decision making

Problem solving

Communication

Planning

Education

Food related qualification

Internal Audit qualification

Food Safety Level 3

HACCP Level 3

Job description

About Us:

Established in 2000, Extons Foods are now one of the UKs largest independent cheese processing companies supplying sliced, grated, block and continental cheese to wholesalers, retailers, and sandwich manufacturers. We have continually grown and we’re not slowing down! A Family Run business with a friendly hands-on approach.

Role Description:

Reporting to the Technical Services & Compliance Manager you are responsible for a variety of Technical Services activities supporting Technical Department to ensure Legality, Safety and Compliance whilst collaborating with the NPD and Sales Team to ensure the successful launch of new products. This role plays a vital part in the compliance of our products and providing excellent Technical Service to existing and new customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete the generation of new customer specifications and complete customer portals with all customer requirements.
• Deal with Technical Customer Service queries, responding in a timely and professional manner and supporting key customer accounts as required.
• To sign off artwork in accordance with legal requirements.
• Be part of the new product development process, ensuring full compliance to technical standards.
• Be competent to cover the generation of labels in the absence of our NPD and project coordinator.
• Support and manage NPD, trials and sample processes including managing and supporting shelf-life validation processes.
• Carry out Monthly Traceability & Mass Balance Audits.
• Member of Internal Audit Team (carry out assigned audits)
• Supporting the Food Safety & Quality Management System maintenance.
• Weekly export documentation and lead Vet visits.
• Be an integral member of the team during external audits for traceability/mass balance, supplier approval and other areas as required.
• Be involved in supporting and actioning non-conformances and corrective action plans where applicable.
• Supporting customer COP requirements and gap analysis.
• To Deputise for the Technical Services & Compliance Manager as required.
• Support with implementation of new processes in alignment with the FSQMS
• Support and complete complaint investigations via the non-conformance process.
• Build strong relationships with wider teams.
• Additional tasks as required.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate must have:

• Food related qualification or relevant industry experience.
• Previous experience of working within a compliance and standards driven environment – British Retail Consortium (BRC).
• Knowledge of food legislation.
• Legal labelling trained to approval label and artwork.
• High levels of attention to detail.
• Food Safety Level 3.
• HACCP Level 3.
• Internal Audit qualification.
• A strong understanding of microbiology and nutrition.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience within a similar role in FMCG.
• An understanding of the operational side of Food Manufacturing.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong planning and organisational skills with a sense of priority for deadlines and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to be flexible to meet business needs.
• A passion for delivering results and the drive to exceed expectations.
• A team player.
• Self-motivated and a strong commitment to personal development.

Working Hours:

40 hours per week Monday to Friday.

Benefits:

• Profit share scheme
• Free parking, within proximity to all major travel networks
• 23 days holiday, plus 8 days bank holiday, increasing with service
• An extra day off for your birthday!
• Health cash plan, after 3 months – claim money back on essential healthcare such as dental and eye care, for you and your children.
• Employee Assistance Proram
• Company pension scheme (4% employer contributions)
• Company paid events throughout the year.
• FREE pack of cheese every week
• Discounted staff cheese shop
• Doughnut Fridays