Process Technologist

Zest Food Jobs; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus paid annually

Flexible bank holidays

Free food

Really good pension contributions

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Zest is recruiting a Process Technologist to join a food development team in London. You will run trials, solve process problems, and ensure every dish matches kitchen quality before production and post-launch support.

You will lead production trials, manage timelines, and chair cross‑functional meetings to drive successful outcomes while maintaining cost accuracy and spec compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing is essential.
• Strong numerical and analytical ability with high attention to detail.
• Excellent organisation and ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead production trials and align stakeholders at each stage.
• Manage trials to agreed timelines with planning team.
• Chair pre- and post-trial meetings across the business.
• Run trial tastings and ensure dish quality meets sign-off standards.
• Set clear trial objectives and communicate outcomes and recommendations.
• Complete validations for taste, texture, cooking performance, freezing and transit.

Skills

Food manufacturing experience

Numerical ability

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Team player

Education

HACCP Level 2

Degree in Food Technology or Food Science

Job description

Zest is recruiting a Process Technologist to join a food development team, supporting projects from concept through to post-launch for a well known London food brand. You'll be the one running the trials, solving the process problems and making sure every dish that reaches production matches the quality set in the kitchen.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Leading production trials, keeping every stakeholder aligned at each stage of the project
• Managing trials against agreed timelines, working closely with the planning team
• Chairing pre- and post-trial meetings, pulling in input from across the business
• Running trial tastings and holding the line on dish quality against sign-off standards
• Setting clear objectives for each trial and communicating the outcomes and recommendations
• Completing the full range of validations needed to prove a dish out taste, texture, cooking performance, freezer and transit testing
• Keeping costings accurate and up to date at every stage of development
• Working with procurement and technical colleagues to make sure new ingredients meet agreed specifications
• Acting as a technical go-to for production and technical teams, supporting quality through to launch and beyond
• Providing post-launch support at launch and release meetings
• Spotting root causes behind production and process issues, and leading quality audits with practical recommendations

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Previous experience in food manufacturing
• HACCP Level 2, and a degree in Food Technology or Food Science
• Strong numerical and analytical ability, with real accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent organisation and the ability to manage multiple projects at once
• A positive, driven, can-do attitude and a genuine enjoyment of working as part of a team

Whats in it for you:

• Working for a B Corp business that really stand on Quality and sustainability
• Bonus paid out annually on top of your Salary*
• Flexible Bank Holidays
• Free food!!!
• Great Pension contributions
• Endless Learning and Development opportunities - really take your career where you want it to go

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, all candidates must have UK Right to work.