Pilot Plant Technician

tateandlyle; Mold; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Tate & Lyle is seeking a diligent pilot plant technician to support trials across applications, ensuring high standards of safety and quality at the CICC in the UK. The role includes packing, sample requests, and coordinating shipments, with emphasis on timely execution and strong documentation practices.

You will cover for holidays and peak workloads, maintain clean lab conditions, and collaborate with TS stakeholders to enable smooth product development while continuing your own professional

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English with minimum C grade or equivalent.
• Awareness of food legislation and safety requirements.
• Knowledge of food technology, processing and development.
• Ability to work within an international, matrix organisation.
• Willingness to maintain high cleanliness and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Execute the trials as assigned and ensure timely and effective outcomes from trials, evaluation, to shipment.
• Coordinate packing, labeling, documentation and timely shipment of samples.
• Share trial details for documentation as required.
• Support and organise all practical aspects of customer visits to the CICC.
• Prepare equipment and run trials (Pilot Plant or Bench) following SOP/JSA's; maintain and update these as needed.
• Maintain a clean and hygienic working environment in the Pilot Plant.
• Manage inventory of raw materials, finished products, chemicals and packaging in the CICC.
• Liaise closely with other departments to ensure smooth running of the CICC and technical support to TS priorities.

Skills

Food industry knowledge

Food legislation awareness

Food technology knowledge

IT systems literacy

Customer focus

Structured mindset

English language proficiency

Teamwork

Education

GCSE Maths & English

Additional related qualifications (e.g. HACCP/COSHH)

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

PLM systems

Job description

ROLE PURPOSE

The job holder will be expected to ensure the successful running of trials in support of the TS across all applications to the highest standards.

Provide trained cover for pilot trials, blend sample request support, packing and shipments during holidays, sickness and workload peaks, helping to maintain continuity and avoid postponing customer work.

Perform administrative tasks as required for smooth operation of the CICC.

Maintain the highest quality and safety standards with high levels of cleanliness within the CICC.

To maintain high focus and commitment on their own continuous development.

Adheres to the TL strategy and implements it with the support of their line manager.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

The main responsibilities of the role include but not limited to:

• Exe c ute t h e trial s as s i g n ed and en s ure t he o utco m es are given t i m e l y a nd e ff e c t iv e l y f or the w h o l e process a ss i g n e d from trials, to evaluation, to shipment. Coordinate the packing, labelling, documentation and timely shipment of customer and trial samples.
• Ensure all trial details (processing) are shared for documentation as required.
• Support & Organise all practical aspects of customer visits to the CICC.
• Communicate professionally with customers when on site alongside TS.
• Prepare the equipment and run trials (Pilot Plant or Bench) following agreed SOP/JSA's in place . Maintain and challenge the SOP/JSA's in use and train others where applicable.
• Weighing out of all ingredients required for trials.
• Maintain clean and hygienic working environment in the whole of the Pilot Plant.
• Support the management of raw material, finished product, chemicals and packaging inventory in CICC.
• L i a i s e c l o s e l y w i th t he ot h er d e p art m e n ts to e n s ure t he s m o o th r u n n i ng of t h e CICC as a w h o l e, a s w e l l as f or the t e c h n i c al s u p p o r t t o t h e TS's priorities .
• Support for Daily/Weekly/Monthly Checks within the Pilot Plant as assigned.
• Prepare and organise tasting sessions for the TS on request.
• Uphold EHSQS (Environmental, Health, Safety, Quality & Security) Duty of Care: Carry out responsibilities/duties according to food safety, legal and quality requirements so as to ensure that our products are fit for human consumption.
• Comply with all environmental standards, procedures and work instructions at all times.
• Report any environmental violations or concerns in order to prevent any impact upon the local environment, its inhabitants and Tate & Lyle.
• Adhere to the safety policies, procedures and site rules.
• Actively participate in local EHS programmes including reporting any incidents or concerns and auditing.
• Ensure that all the EHSQS requirements are enforced, remembering there are general responsibilities for everyone, not just those with specific EHSQS roles.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• EHSQS (Environment, Health, Safety, Quality & Security): hit the target set for self and site
• Achieve the objectives set each year.
• Record the implementation and outcome of the IDP's set for self.
• Record the improvements expressed and keep a continuous improvement process.
• Good Housekeeping & Hygiene (Clean as You Go Policy).
• Maintain stock of all necessary ingredients/packaging used in pilot plant developments.
• Act as an international team player.

LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

All EHSQS, confidentiality and other compliance requirements.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

COMPETENCIES

Standard competences/behaviours Tate & Lyle Values & Behaviours

• Hands on approach
• Flexibility & engage with change

Critical Competences Functional/Technical Skills

• Team Builder
• Commercial awareness
• Communication & organisational skills
• Knowledge of product development processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

• GCSE in Maths & English (Min. C grade or equivalent)
• Any extra education/qualifications related to the job is a plus (e.g. HACCP/COSHH)

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in food production, process or development.
• Working within an international environment as well as within a matrix organization desirable.

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the Food Industry
• Awareness of food legislation
• Knowledge of food technology, food processing and food development
• Good IS/IT systems knowledge/ computer literacy (including Microsoft, Internet, ERP and PLM systems)
• Customer-oriented
• Structured but pragmatic
• Solution-focused and results-oriented
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Safety-first mindset and learning agility (including EHSQS and other concepts which may evolve through time)
• Good organizational, planning, and prioritizing skills
• Positive and Proactive
• Good communication and interpersonal skills within an international organization and/or a multinational environment
• Proficient English knowledge, any further language is a plus.

Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.