Specification Manager - Food

MaxAd Fixed Fee Recruitment; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food business in Leeds is looking for an experienced Specification Manager to manage product specifications. This role involves ensuring compliance with food safety standards, interacting with suppliers and retailers, and working closely within a supportive specification team. The successful candidate will have a degree related to food science and experience in a food manufacturing environment, with strong analytical skills. Benefits include private healthcare and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Private healthcare

25 days holiday

Free parking

Hybrid working

Qualifications

• Experience of writing customer specifications in a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety principles and quality management.
• Completed legal labelling and allergen training or willing to refresh.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage customer accounts as the key contact.
• Develop, complete and submit compliant product specifications.
• Gather and manage detailed technical data including recipes and allergen info.
• Translate complex supplier information into retailer formats.
• Create pack copy and oversee packaging processes.
• Maintain specifications in accordance with UK and EU food legislation.

Skills

Food safety principles

HACCP

Strong analytical skills

Communication with suppliers and retailers

Education

Degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Food Technology

Job description

£40,000 DoE + Private Healthcare + 25 Days Holiday + Free Parking + Hybrid

Are you an experienced Specification Technologist or Specification Manager looking to broaden your exposure across multiple retailers, product categories and global supply partners? Would you thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where accuracy, resilience and technical expertise genuinely shape the success of every product launch?

A leading, long-established food business is seeking a proactive Specification Manager to join its growing team in a state‑of‑the‑art site in central Leeds. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who loves food, enjoys solving complex data challenges and wants to work across a hugely varied portfolio spanning frozen chips and potatoes, fruit, vegetables, party foods and more.

Working as part of a supportive, experienced specification team, you'll play a key role in ensuring that every product meets the highest levels of safety, legality, quality and compliance, while contributing directly to the successful launch of products into all major UK retailers and food service customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage your customer accounts, acting as the key point of contact for all specification activity. Responsibilities include :
• Developing, completing and submitting accurate, compliant product specifications in line with customer critical paths and internal quality processes
• Gathering, verifying and managing detailed technical data including recipes, allergen information, nutritional values, cooking instructions, micro results, storage requirements and shelf‑life analysis
• Translating complex supplier information into retailer‑specific formats and ensuring all deadlines are met
• Creating pack copy and supporting artwork processes, including liaison with printers, photography approvals and ensuring packaging meets all technical and legal standards
• Working closely with NPD, Technical, Commercial and Supply Chain teams, and participating in weekly cross‑functional retailer account meetings
• Maintaining specifications in line with UK and EU food legislation and updating them in accordance with customer schedules

About You

• Experience of writing customer specifications in a food manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of food safety principles, HACCP, and quality management

frameworks such as BRCGS or ISO

• Completed legal labelling and allergen training (or is willing to refresh)
• Understands retailer specification systems and customer approval processes
• Brings strong analytical skills and enjoys working with detailed data sets
• Understands ingredients, recipes, nutrition and food composition
• Communicates confidently with suppliers, retailers and internal stakeholders
• Ideally educated to degree level in Food Science, Nutrition, Food Technology or a related discipline; however, candidates with relevant industry experience and professional training will also be considered.

Benefits include private healthcare, 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, free city centre parking, hybrid working with 1 day per week from home. This isn't a passive data‑entry role. It requires ownership, assertiveness, and the confidence to liaise directly with suppliers and retailers when information is missing or clarification is required.

If you're an experienced specification professional who wants to work on a diverse, fast‑moving product portfolio with a supportive, knowledgeable team, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today!