Specification Technologist

Finsbury Food Group Plc; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK specialty bakery group is seeking a Specifications Technologist to join their Cardiff and Pontypool teams. The role demands attention to detail and involves ensuring successful product launches, adhering to food legislation, and creating specifications for new products. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and relevant qualifications, and will work in a supportive environment that encourages growth and professional development.

Benefits

Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave

Enhanced Pension Scheme

Free Employee Assistance Programme

Retail discounts via Benefits Hub

Company shop with discounted products

Refer a Friend Scheme

Employee Recognition Awards

Extensive Learning & Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in Food Manufacturing sector is essential.
• Up-to-date knowledge of food labeling legislation.
• Experience with retailer specifications systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure traceability of recipe or process changes communicated to stakeholders.
• Liaise between NPD and Technical Departments for project launches.
• Check artwork and packaging against specifications to ensure compliance.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Attention to detail

Knowledge of food legislation

Problem solving

Education

Graduate level qualifications in Food Science, Technology or Nutrition

Job description

29 April 2025

Location: Cardiff and Pontypool

Shift: Monday to Friday

Salary: Competitive + Benefits

Finsbury Food Group is a leading speciality bakery manufacturer. We constantly raise quality and efficiency standards, and build long-term relationships with major multiple retailers and the foodservice channel. The bread for your morning toast, ready for butter-spreading or egg-dipping. The candle-filled centrepiece for a memorable celebration. The buns, muffins and other treats that turn teatime into quality time. We make 75% of the UK’s sharing cakes from retailer own brands cakes, tray bakes through to party cakes like Caterpillar cakes This is what we do, and why we’re in business. Baking brilliance makes every day special.

We have a new opportunity for a Specifications Technologist to join our Technical Team within Finsbury Food Group, covering both Cardiff and Pontypool sites. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on attention to detail. Our ambition is to evolve into a World Class manufacturing business, and you could be part of that journey!

We are one of the UK largest bakeries and this role will give you a variety of skills, experience, and group exposure for you to develop within the company. Therefore, we are looking for someone who has the drive, enthusiasm, and ambition to push us to that next level.

This is a great opportunity for someone to gain experience with one of the UK largest bakery businesses, working with the major Retailers across the UK. They'll work with a friendly and engaging team, which offer opportunities for growth and long term career development.

The Specifications Technologist will play a key role in ensuring the designated critical path stages between concept handover and product launches are achieved, with comprehensive communications of project statuses maintained with all stakeholders. They will ensure that the approved procedures and controls required for the successful launch of new and revised products are followed. They will provide comprehensive and accurate information for Internal and External Customers, including Sample Submission Forms, Specifications, QAS, Trial and Launch information as required. The Specifications Technologist will work as part of the Technical team and work alongside colleagues in Process, NPD and Operations. They will be instrumental to facilitating the production of great value, safe, innovative and quality assured food.

To be a success in this role, the Specifications Technologist will have worked in a similar position within Food Manufacturing. They will have good up-to-date knowledge of legislation regarding the labelling of food products and additives and ideally client systems experience. They will also have excellent communications skills and be able to build effective relationships across the business as part of a team. They will also have a passion for the Food industry and be able to challenge effectively.

This is what you'll actually do!

As the Specifications Technologist you will ensure all required internal and external documentation is completed to specification, ensuring traceability of any changes to recipe or process are communicated to all stakeholders. You’ll liase between NPD and Technical Departments, throughout launch projects ensuring critical paths are achieved in line with customer expectations. You’ll also demonstrate a detailed practical knowledge of current manufacturing processes, to ensure customer specifications fully reflect the capabilities of the Factory.

You will check artwork and packaging against agreed Pack copy, Legal and Company requirements and Ingredient Specifications ensuring any non-compliance with the specification is reported and followed up. Along with the maintenance of technical aspects of the systems, while adapting to new ways of working driven by the implementation of new systems. With maintenance of all relevant customer portals – highlighting and responding to alerts and escalating to the Line manager. You will also support on external audits where appropriate.

Ideally this is you!

• Graduate level with qualifications in Food Science, Technology or Nutrition
• Previous experience in a similar position with the Food Manufacturing sector
• Awareness of nutrition, food tolerance, allergens and additives
• Good communication skills – Must be able to communicate effectively with all relevant departments
• Good organisation and administration skills – must be able to multi task and prioritise
• Up to date knowledge of legislation regarding the labelling of food products
• Ideally experience of retailer specifications systems and requirements

What's in it for you?

• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival!
• Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees
• Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families)
• Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform!
• Company shop available at sites (heavily discounted, yummy products!)
• Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral – t&cs dependent)
• Employee Recognition Awards· Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in-house development course!)
• An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more!

Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!