Supplier and Raw Materials Technologist

Valeo Foods; Churwell; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Death in service

Cycle to work scheme

Canteen

And plenty more!

Job summary

Valeo Foods UK is seeking a Supplier & Raw Materials Technologist to lead supplier management and ensure raw material safety, quality and ethics. Hybrid Leeds role with three days on-site per week, driving collaboration across Procurement, Technical and Quality teams.

Responsibilities include managing supplier performance, risk assessments and audits, maintaining approved supplier lists, and ensuring compliance with HACCP and BRC standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in the food industry with focus on supplier management.
• HACCP Level 3 qualification and experience with BRC audits.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with suppliers.
• Lead ingredient and raw material risk assessments to meet standards and third‑party certs.
• Oversee raw material traceability and mass balance across the supply base.
• Ensure supplier compliance with HACCP, BRC and other food safety standards.
• Carry out supplier audits in line with the risk-based audit schedule.
• Review and improve raw material specifications to meet customer requirements.
• Support Technical and Quality teams with supplier-related issues and improvements.
• Work with HR to identify risks related to supplier ethical compliance.

Skills

Supplier management

Quality assurance

Audits

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

BSc in Food Science or related

Job description

At Valeo Foods UK we bring together a family of much-loved UK food brands supported by the scale and ambition of a global investment partner. From Kettle’s bold crunch to Rowse’s natural sweetness, through to Matthew Walker and Barratt Sweets, our portfolio blends heritage, craft and category-leading innovation.

Alongside our branded portfolio, we are also one of the UK’s largest suppliers of private label products, partnering with major retailers to deliver quality and category expertise that meets the needs of millions of households every week.

As a business, we’re on a journey of transformation. We’re strengthening our operations, driving quality and investing in our people. It’s an exciting, fast-moving environment where heritage meets new thinking, and where every colleague contributes to shaping the future of food across the UK.

Join us and play your part in building the next chapter of some of Britain’s most loved brands.

Job Description

Supplier and Raw Materials Technologist

Leeds -Hybrid working with 3 days on local site per week

Are you a specialist in supplier management and raw materials? Do you thrive on ensuring the highest standards of food safety, integrity, and ethical compliance? If you’re ready to make a real impact across a dynamic supply chain, we’d love to hear from you.

At Valeo Foods, our sites are passionate about crafting products people love — and that starts with exceptional ingredients. As our Supplier & Raw Materials Technologist, you’ll be at the heart of our supply base, ensuring every raw material meets our rigorous quality, safety, and ethical standards. You’ll collaborate closely with Procurement, Technical, and Quality teams to strengthen supplier performance and drive continuous improvement across the business.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Build strong, proactive relationships with suppliers.
• Lead ingredient and raw material risk assessments to meet Valeo Foods’ standards, customer expectations, and third‑party certification requirements.

Ethical & Responsible Sourcing

• Ensure suppliers comply with Valeo Foods’ Ethical Framework (including SEDEX).
• Assess ethical risks through audits, documentation reviews, and on‑site visits.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Procurement, NPD, Technical, and Quality teams on all supplier and raw material matters.
• Support customer technical teams, providing confidence in our supply chain controls and participating in customer visits and audits.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and continuously update the approved supplier list.
• Conduct raw material risk assessments and manage testing schedules, including Free From campaigns.
• Oversee raw material traceability and mass balance across the supply base.
• Ensure supplier compliance with HACCP, BRC, and other relevant food safety standards.
• Carry out supplier audits in line with the risk‑based audit schedule.
• Review, maintain, and improve raw material specifications to meet customer and industry requirements.
• Support site Technical and Quality teams with supplier‑related issues, non‑conformances, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Work with HR to identify and manage risks related to supplier ethical compliance

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring:

We’re looking for someone who combines technical expertise with strong relationship‑building skills and a meticulous approach to quality. To thrive in this role, you’ll bring:

• Demonstrable experiencein the food industry or a similar environment, ideally with a strong focus on supplier management
• HACCP Level 3 qualification, plus hands‑on experience with BRC compliance and audits
• Proven experience conducting supplier audits, risk assessments, and driving supplier performance
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to build trust and influence both internally and externally
• A proactive, practical, and solution‑driven mindset, with the confidence to tackle supplier quality issues and deliver continuous improvement
• A degree (or equivalent) in Food Science or a related discipline would be desirable
• A full driving licence

Additional Information

What we offer you in return:

• Death in service
• Cycle to work scheme
• Canteen
• And plenty more!!

If you're ready to take on a role that combines technical expertise with strategic supplier management, we want to hear from you.