Food Technologist: Retail Standards & Supplier Partnerships

Henderson Brown Recruitment; Spalding; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Henderson Brown Recruitment is seeking a Technologist in Spalding to lead technical delivery for a major UK retailer. You will own and maintain product specs, ensure audit-ready documentation and drive compliance across supplier networks.

You will collaborate with technical, commercial, NPD and operations teams to translate retailer policies into actionable plans, support product launches, and use QMS data to improve quality and supplier performance while mitigating risk on incidents.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Technologist or technical role in food manufacturing or fresh produce.
• Strong knowledge of retailer standards.
• Proven ability to manage specifications and supplier relationships.
• Confident communicator with stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
• Own transport and flexibility to travel overseas; UK working rights.

Responsibilities

• Act as the key technical contact for the retailer account, building trusted relationships and representing the business across site visits, supplier engagement and customer interactions.
• Develop and implement technical strategies, translating retailer policies into clear, actionable plans across site and supplier networks.
• Ensure full compliance with retailer codes of practice, managing specifications, systems and processes while driving effective non-conformance resolution.
• Own and maintain accurate product specifications, ensuring all documentation is up to date, audit-ready and aligned to customer expectations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with technical, commercial, NPD and operations teams, delivering customer plans and supporting successful product launches.
• Use QMS data and performance metrics to identify trends, driving continuous improvement across product quality, process efficiency and supplier performance.
• Lead technical input during incidents and escalations, minimising risk and protecting both customer and brand integrity.
• Support innovation and product development, working closely with buyers and developers to bring high-quality, compliant products to market.

Skills

Food manufacturing

Retailer standards

Specification management

Stakeholder management

Job description

Henderson Brown Recruitment is seeking a Technologist in Spalding to lead technical delivery for a major UK retailer. You will own and maintain product specs, ensure audit-ready documentation and drive compliance across supplier networks.

You will collaborate with technical, commercial, NPD and operations teams to translate retailer policies into actionable plans, support product launches, and use QMS data to improve quality and supplier performance while mitigating risk on incidents.