Specification Technologist

Henderson Brown Recruitment; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Henderson Brown Recruitment supports a leading food manufacturer in Northampton to hire a detail-oriented Specification Technologist. You will own retailer specifications, artwork, labelling and technical compliance, collaborating with NPD, Process, Quality and commercial teams to move products from concept through launch.

Your expertise in UK retailer specs, allergen handling, labelling accuracy and compliance will be essential as you support audits and maintain robust technical records.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in writing and updating retailer specifications.
• Hands-on knowledge of retailer specification systems.
• Experience with packaging labelling and legal compliance.
• Experience with QA and technical compliance processes.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of completing and maintaining major UK retailer specifications, ensuring all product information is accurate, compliant and delivered right first time against strict customer deadlines.
• Partner closely with NPD and Process teams throughout the concept-to-launch journey, translating recipes and supplier information into customer specifications and Quality Attribute Sheets (QAS).
• Review raw material and packaging specifications, including information held within Hamilton Grant, challenging discrepancies and escalating anything that falls outside customer Codes of Practice.
• Interpret technical product data including ingredients, allergens and nutritional analysis, carrying out calculations and checks to ensure information meets retailer and legislative requirements.
• Generate and verify pack copy, reviewing and approving artwork to ensure labelling is accurate, legally compliant and ready for launch within agreed timescales.
• Manage specification review programmes, Gold Standard Specifications, internal trackers, SAQs and allergen risk assessments, maintaining accurate and traceable technical records.
• Build strong relationships with retail customers and internal stakeholders, confidently managing queries, deadlines, specification changes and technical requests.
• Play an active role in maintaining the site's technical standards, supporting customer and BRCGS audits, food safety requirements and wider technical compliance.

Skills

Retailer specifications experience

Artwork & pack copy knowledge

Allergen & labelling expertise

Codes of Practice familiarity

Stakeholder liaison

Attention to detail

Education

HACCP Level 2

Food Hygiene Level 2

Tools

Hamilton Grant

Job description

We\'re working with a leading food manufacturer to recruit a detail-driven Specification Technologist who knows their way around major retailer systems and loves getting things right first time.

This position will join a fast-paced food business, taking ownership of retailer specifications, artwork, labelling and technical compliance. You\'ll work at the heart of the product journey, partnering with NPD, Process, Quality and commercial teams to ensure products move smoothly from concept through to launch.

Specification Technologist

Northampton

Hybrid

£32k - 34k

The Role

• Take ownership of completing and maintaining major UK retailer specifications, ensuring all product information is accurate, compliant and delivered right first time against strict customer deadlines.
• Partner closely with NPD and Process teams throughout the concept-to-launch journey, translating recipes and supplier information into customer specifications and Quality Attribute Sheets (QAS).
• Review raw material and packaging specifications, including information held within Hamilton Grant, challenging discrepancies and escalating anything that falls outside customer Codes of Practice.
• Interpret technical product data including ingredients, allergens and nutritional analysis, carrying out calculations and checks to ensure information meets retailer and legislative requirements.
• Generate and verify pack copy, reviewing and approving artwork to ensure labelling is accurate, legally compliant and ready for launch within agreed timescales.
• Manage specification review programmes, Gold Standard Specifications, internal trackers, SAQs and allergen risk assessments, maintaining accurate and traceable technical records.
• Build strong relationships with retail customers and internal stakeholders, confidently managing queries, deadlines, specification changes and technical requests.
• Play an active role in maintaining the site\'s technical standards, supporting customer and BRCGS audits, food safety requirements and wider technical compliance.

What We're Looking For:

• Proven experience is essential in writing, updating and managing specifications for major UK retailers, with hands-on knowledge of retailer specification systems.
• Previous experience within a Specification Technologist or similar technical role in food manufacturing, fresh produce or a related food environment.
• Strong working knowledge of UK food labelling legislation, including allergen declarations, ingredient labelling, nutritional information and FIR requirements.
• Familiarity with retailer Codes of Practice and concept-to-launch processes, with confidence identifying and challenging non-compliance.
• Experience of pack copy and artwork approval, with an understanding of the legal and technical requirements behind food packaging.
• HACCP Level 2 or above and Food Hygiene Level 2 or above.
• Completion of relevant multi-retailer specification training and experience with systems such as Hamilton Grant would be highly advantageous.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organisation and communication skills, with the ability to prioritise competing deadlines and confidently liaise with customers and senior stakeholders