Specifications Technologist

Danish Crown A/S; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company in the UK seeks a qualified individual to manage product specifications and collaborate on new product development. The role requires at least 3 years in food process and manufacturing, and proficiency in using Microsoft Word and Excel. The company offers generous holidays, enhanced leave, and well-being programs, and values clear communication and project management skills. This position is ideal for someone seeking growth in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Enhanced company sick pay

Matched company pension scheme

Heavily discounted meat

Well-being programmes

Free parking

Free tea and coffee

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years previous experience within food process and manufacturing.
• Clear understanding of the retailer ‘Stage and Gate’ processes.
• Confident working independently in a fast-paced factory environment.

Responsibilities

• Complete product specifications using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Approve artwork and packaging designs.
• Communicate with suppliers and support new product development.

Skills

Project management

Communication

IT skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Education

Level 2 or more HACCP and Food Hygiene training

Job description

We are a food company owned by Danish farmers, supplying high-quality food to customers and consumers worldwide. From butchers to business developers, we are more than 26,000 colleagues.

Why come to Danish Crown?

• An amazing 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays – that’s 36 days holiday a year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• Enhanced company sick pay
• Matched company pension scheme
• Heavily discounted meat is available to all staff through the staff shop.
• Well‑being programmes, with free optional health care cash plans to cover your everyday healthcare costs and which offer a wide range of digital and virtual wellbeing tools to support both your health and the people you care about.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme for all colleagues and their families
• Free parking
• Free tea and coffee on all sites

Area of responsibility

The role is responsible for completing product specifications using Microsoft Word and Excel or customer portals. Specifications must comply with specific regulations and customer requirements. The role will also involve approving artwork and packaging designs and ensuring alignment with brand guidelines. Collaborate with stakeholders to gather information for specifications, review, and maintain accurate documentation. Communicate with suppliers and partners and support new product development, following the Gate Stage process.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that the specifications are completed accurately with information provided to do so and to work within agreed timescales so that the specifications and subsequent processes can be delivered on time.
• Follow the gate stage process and liaise with relevant parties to ensure the required information is available on time.
• Understand and interpret the data gathered to create specifications across various formats, including customer portals. This will include recipe management, nutrition, micro specifications and process controls.
• Provide regular status updates to the broader business.
• Maintain the records and have them available for key stakeholders as and when required.
• Be part of the sign‑off process for all artwork and packaging submissions and approvals for launch.
• Attend and give feedback during post‑launch review sessions.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years previous experience within food process and manufacturing is essential, with UK retailer customer facing experience preferable.
• A clear understanding of the retailer ‘Stage and Gate’ gate processes.
• A flexible working schedule due to factory trialling and launch schedules.
• Ability to manage projects and time effectively and meet deadlines.
• Confident working independently within a fast‑paced factory environment.
• Clear and punctual communication with all departments during the product development stages.
• Good IT skills using Excel, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
• Level 2 or more HACCP and Food Hygiene training preferable.
• UK Driving licence.