Specifications Technologist - Hybrid

Zest; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest in Leeds is seeking a Specifications Technologist for a full-time, hybrid role (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday) within a well-established FMCG business. You will own finished product specifications and ensure accuracy, legality and timely delivery across retailer and customer systems.

You will validate ingredient declarations, allergens, nutrition data, country of origin, shelf life and storage instructions against UK legislation, coordinate artwork approvals, and support audits and

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or related discipline.
• At least two years experience writing UK retail specifications.

Responsibilities

• Own finished product specifications across retailer and customer systems, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Validate ingredient declarations, allergens, nutritional data, country of origin, shelf life and storage instructions against UK legislation and retailer codes.
• Own artwork approvals from start to finish, coordinating feedback and final sign-off on pack copy and labels.
• Collaborate with Technical, NPD, Procurement and Packaging to drive launches and continuous improvement.

Education

Degree in Food Science or Food Technology

Job description

Overview

Love getting the detail exactly right? This is your chance to join a well‑established and passionate FMCG business as their next Specifications Technologist, working hybrid, full time, 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday. If you take genuine pride in accuracy and want to play a pivotal role at the heart of a values‑driven business, this role is built for you.

Key Responsibilities

Sitting right at the centre of the business, you will be the vital link between Technical, NPD, Packaging and Commercial teams, keeping product launches on track and compliance watertight every step of the way. You will take full ownership of finished product specifications, creating, reviewing and maintaining them across retailer and customer systems, ensuring everything is accurate, legally compliant and delivered within agreed project timelines, all in line with BRCGS and customer requirements.

You will be the go‑to expert for technical compliance, validating ingredient declarations, allergens, nutritional data, country of origin, shelf life and storage instructions against UK food legislation and retailer codes of practice, and stepping up to support audits with confidence when needed. You will also own artwork approval from start to finish, verifying artwork against specifications and legal labelling requirements, coordinating stakeholder feedback and giving final sign‑off on pack copy and outer case labels.

Working closely with Technical, NPD, Procurement and Packaging teams, you will help drive product launches forward, keep specification and artwork milestones firmly on track and bring real insight to project meetings. You will also play an active role in continuous improvement, staying ahead of legislative and retailer developments, spotting opportunities to sharpen processes and controls and sharing your knowledge across the wider business.

Qualifications

To thrive in this role, you will need a degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline, along with at least two years experience writing UK retail specifications.

Contact

If you take ownership, thrive on getting things right for the first time and want to bring your specifications expertise to a business that truly lives its values, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Nicola Richardson.