Process Technologist

D R Newitt & Associates; Tudhoe; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

D R Newitt & Associates is looking for an experienced Process Technologist to join a well‑established premium food manufacturer in Kent. You will drive development through to full-scale manufacture, ensuring quality, safety, consistency, and efficiency across the operation.

You will lead factory trials, process validation, recipe and specification control, packaging implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives, collaborating with Production, Technical, Engineering, Planning and

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Process Technologist or similar factory-based role.
• Strong knowledge of food manufacturing processes and QA.
• Experience leading trials and product launches.
• Ability to analyse data and implement practical improvements.
• Excellent documentation and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to work across multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate factory trials for new products and process changes.
• Monitor trial results, identify issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Manage recipes, specifications, and manufacturing instructions.
• Validate packaging materials and ensure correct labelling and shelf-life.
• Support HACCP, allergen controls, and BRCGS compliance.
• Maintain trial reports and ensure traceability.

Skills

Process development

Factory trials

Data analysis

Documentation accuracy

Cross-functional collaboration

Food safety

Education

Degree in Food Science or related

Job description

Location: Kent

Reports to: NPD Manager

The Opportunity

A well-established premium food manufacturer is seeking an experienced Process Technologist to support the successful delivery of new and existing products from development through to full-scale manufacture.

This is a hands-on, factory-based role focused on ensuring products are manufactured to the required standards of quality, food safety, consistency, efficiency, and customer expectation. The successful candidate will play a key role in factory trials, process validation, recipe and specification control, packaging implementation, and continuous improvement activities across the manufacturing operation.

Key Responsibilities

Factory Trials & Process Validation

• Lead and coordinate factory trials for new product launches, recipe amendments, packaging changes, and process improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with Production, Technical, Engineering, Planning, and Procurement teams to ensure trials are planned and executed effectively.
• Monitor trial performance, record results, identify process issues, and recommend corrective actions where required.
• Support the scale-up of products from development stage through to commercial production.
• Ensure products can be manufactured consistently while achieving agreed quality, yield, cost, and efficiency targets.

Recipe, Specification & Process Control

• Maintain and update recipes, process specifications, manufacturing instructions, and process documentation following approved changes.
• Ensure all revisions are accurately communicated to relevant departments and correctly implemented within factory systems.
• Verify that manufacturing instructions reflect actual factory operating conditions and production capabilities.
• Monitor critical process parameters and product quality characteristics to ensure consistency and compliance with specification requirements.
• Support continuous improvement activities focused on yield optimisation, waste reduction, line efficiency, product consistency, and manufacturing performance.

Raw Material & Packaging Validation

• Carry out raw material checks during trials and validation activities to confirm ingredient suitability, quality, and functionality.
• Work with Procurement and Technical teams to support the assessment of alternative ingredients, suppliers, and packaging materials.
• Lead packaging trials, including validation of: packaging material performance, seal integrity, coding and traceability, labelling accuracy, shelf-life performance, and production line compatibility.
• Ensure packaging changes are fully documented, validated, and successfully implemented within manufacturing systems.

Technical & Quality Support

• Work closely with Technical and QA teams to ensure compliance with: BRCGS Food Safety requirements, HACCP controls, allergen management procedures, legal and customer labelling standards, internal product specifications
• Support shelf-life assessments, quality benchmarking, organoleptic evaluations, and process validation activities.
• Assist with the investigation and resolution of process-related quality issues, including product variability, processing defects, packaging concerns, and line performance issues.
• Maintain accurate trial reports, specifications, validation records, and process documentation to support audit readiness and full traceability.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

• Proven experience in a Process Technologist, Process Development, Manufacturing Technologist, or similar factory-based food manufacturing role.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes and factory operations.
• Experience leading factory trials and supporting commercial product launches.
• Ability to analyse process data, troubleshoot manufacturing issues, and implement practical process improvements.
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
• Confident communicator with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments.

Desirable

• Experience within a premium food manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9, HACCP, allergen management, and retailer codes of practice.
• Experience with packaging validation, shelf-life assessment, and process capability studies.
• Understanding of raw material functionality, process variation, and its impact on product quality and manufacturing performance.

Qualifications

• Degree or HND in Food Science, Food Technology, Manufacturing, or a related discipline.
• HACCP Level 3 and Food Safety Level 3 qualifications would be advantageous