Technical Assistant

The Collective Network Limited; Wheathampstead; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Collective Network Limited is hiring a Technical Assistant in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The role provides an entry point into food technical work, with hands-on responsibilities rather than spreadsheet-only tasks.

You will work closely with the Technical Manager and gain exposure to supplier approvals, product specs, raw material checks, and fast turnover of customer requests. As you grow, you’ll test products, assist with launches, and sit on the HACCP team—collaborating with Operations,

Qualifications

• Grounding in food science, nutrition, manufacturing or similar.
• Experience in a food or drink technical environment is a plus.
• Proficient with MS Office tools (Word/Excel/Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Maintain supplier approval database and ensure records are accurate.
• Write and update product specifications.
• Check incoming raw materials against specs and log them properly.
• Handle customer requests and turnaround quickly.
• Test new products and formulations and support launches from idea to factory.
• Participate in HACCP team and collaborate with Operations, Procurement and Commercial.
• Cover for Technical Manager when needed.

Skills

Food science background

Learning mindset

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

BSc in Food Science/Nutrition/Manufacturing

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Title: Technical Assistant

Location: Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Salary: £28,00 + benefits

Let's be honest about what this job is.

It's an entry point into food technical. Not a glamorous one, not a senior one, but a proper one. The kind where you actually get your hands on things rather than spending two years updating the same spreadsheet while someone more senior does the interesting bits.

You'll be joining an ambitious food and drink manufacturer that's part of a wider group. They make a brilliant product covering newer concepts into the food industry and are very on trend, and they supply some big names across UK and international foodservice, retail and hospitality. Small team, big customers. That combination matters, because it means you'll get exposure most people at your stage simply don't.

You'll working closely with the Technical Manager, and you'll be their right hand.

Some of the work is the bread and butter of any technical role. Keeping the supplier approval database in order. Writing and updating product specs. Checking incoming raw materials against those specs and logging them properly. Picking up customer requests and getting them turned around quickly.

Then there's the good stuff. Testing new products and formulations. Helping take new launches from an idea on a whiteboard to something running in the factory. Sitting on the HACCP team. Working alongside Operations, Procurement and Commercial so you understand how a food business actually fits together. And as your confidence grows, stepping up to cover for the Technical Manager when they're not around.

So who are they after?

Someone with a grounding in food science, nutrition, manufacturing or similar. You might already have a year or two in a food or drink technical environment, which would help, but it isn't a deal breaker. If you're a graduate with the right attitude, they'll happily talk.

You'll need to be comfortable with Word, Excel and Outlook, organised enough that your records are right first time, and switched on enough to spot when something doesn't look right. Most of all you'll need to want to learn, because there's a lot on offer here if you do.

Who won't enjoy it? Anyone who wants a clearly defined box to sit in. It's a small business, so "assisting with other tasks as necessary" genuinely means that. Some weeks will be admin heavy. Some weeks you'll be in development up to your elbows. If that sounds like variety rather than chaos, you'll fit in well.

If you want a technical role where you'll learn more in a year than you would in three somewhere bigger.