Senior Food Technologist

Cardiff Metropolitan University; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in the UK is seeking a Senior Food Technologist to lead technical projects supporting the food manufacturing sector. The successful candidate will manage project delivery, ensure compliance with quality standards, and oversee a team of technologists. A degree in Food Science or a related field is essential, along with experience in HACCP and food safety. This role offers an opportunity to influence industry practices and facilitate knowledge transfer.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant science discipline (2:2 or above).
• Level 3 HACCP & Level 3 Food Safety in manufacturing.
• Lead auditor/internal auditor qualification or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage design, development, and manufacture of new products.
• Support management and delivery of funded and commercial projects.
• Conduct technical projects and internal audits.

Skills

Food manufacturing technical expertise

Project management

HACCP implementation

Knowledge of UK/EU legislation

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Food Science or Food Technology

Tools

BRCGS Food systems

Food Safety Certification schemes

Job description

Senior Food Technologist

Company: ZERO2FIVE, Food Industry Centre. Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Core purpose of role

Responsibility for the development and delivery of ‘best in class’ food manufacturing technical expertise, to support the Welsh Food Industry Sector and supply chain via WG funded projects and the UK Food industry and stakeholders via commercial/other Food Industry Centre (FIC) mechanisms. This will be realised through the progressive management of the highly motivated Food industry Centre Technologists and Knowledge transfer affiliates.

Key responsibilities and contributions

1. Responsibility for the supervision and monitoring of the design, development and manufacture of new products, processes and systems for Micro, SMEs and large organisations in line with current legislation and quality standards, undertake and or support project research as required to complete the project innovation
2. Support for scoping, management and delivering funded and commercial projects, including verification to ensure outputs are in line with FIC and Welsh Government requirements as applicable. This may include working with other university teams.
3. Undertake ‘best in class’ project research, management and implementation as required to complete the bespoke projects.
4. Responsibility for undertaking Technical projects within industry, including gap analysis against a Technical standard, internal audits and verification activities at a company and agree action plans for continuous improvement in order to meet Technical objectives of the business.
5. Responsibility for the collation and presentation of project findings, data, insight and research to the Technical Managers and stakeholders as appropriate.
6. Responsibility for the management of specific technical elements of FIC budget, resource planning and project delivery.
7. Responsibility for supporting the recruitment and interview and selection process of appropriate members of staff, in line with Cardiff Metropolitan University policies.
8. Support the development of technologists on site and in industry to include mentoring and peer review activities.
9. Deputise for members of the senior technical team as required, e.g. Technical Managers and undertake other duties commensurate with grade, skills and abilities as required.
10. Responsibility for the development and delivery of technical training / mentoring sessions and webinars for internal staff, Food Innovation Wales and external companies as required, for both funded and commercial activity.
11. The role holder will be required to travel to clients on a daily basis, travel to conferences and meetings globally as required to promote FIC activity and disseminate technical information.
12. Responsibility for providing the initial contact with food and drink manufacturers to introduce the FIC as a technical service provider to the industry. Identify and deliver support for new commercial opportunities for the FIC and liaise with the Technical Managers.
13. Network and meet with senior managers in an industrial setting to support the delivery of technical strategies and projects as required.

Person specification

Degree in an appropriate, relevant science discipline (2:2 or above) (e.g. Food Science or Food Technology) or equivalent qualification.

Level 3 HACCP & Level 3 Food Safety in manufacturing and demonstrable experience of implementing HACCP in a working manufacturing environment.

Lead auditor / internal auditor qualification, or demonstrable equivalent industry experience in auditing practices.

Essential experience, knowledge and skills

1. Relevant previous experience in the food manufacturing industry in the field of technical, process or quality systems and compliance management.
2. Experience of managing technical/compliance areas of the food industry.
3. Experience of managing part or the whole of BRC /QMS compliant technical systems and development and implementation of HACCP Experience of leading, managing and developing a team.
4. Working knowledge of current UK / EU legislation in the Food and Drinks sector.
5. Working Knowledge of the food processing sector in at least 3 product categories.
6. Working knowledge of 2nd and 3rd party quality management systems requirements and technical food safety codes of practice.
7. Working knowledge of implementing and reviewing Food Safety Accreditation and certification schemes including BRCGS Food and SALSA.
8. Working knowledge of retailer technical systems in UK.
9. Working knowledge of new product development systems and processes.
10. Working knowledge of the review and implementation of microbiological criteria of foodstuffs and product safety characterisation to determine product safety and shelf-life.
11. Supply chain knowledge From Agriculture to Retail in UK.

Desirable

1. Experience in working within the meat, dairy, further processes foods sector, with some analytical training in laboratories, microbiology, food chemistry and statistics.
2. Ability to relate to a variety of professionals, stakeholders including Government officials, and food manufacturing personnel in a multi-cultural environment.
3. Project acquisition and understanding of project documentation systems in the public or private sector and writing project proposals, financial planning support and bids