Specification Technologist

Location:              Cardiff and Pontypool

Shift:                Monday to Friday       

Salary:             Competitive + Benefits

Finsbury Food Group is a leading speciality bakery manufacturer. We constantly raise quality and efficiency standards, and build long-term relationships with major multiple retailers and the foodservice channel. The bread for your morning toast, ready for butter-spreading or egg-dipping. The candle-filled centrepiece for a memorable celebration. The buns, muffins and other treats that turn teatime into quality time. We make 75% of the UK’s sharing cakes from retailer own brands cakes, tray bakes through to party cakes like Caterpillar cakes This is what we do, and why we’re in business. Baking brilliance makes every day special.

We have a new opportunity for a Specifications Technologist to join our Technical Team within Finsbury Food Group, covering both Cardiff and Pontypool sites. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on attention to detail. Our ambition is to evolve into a World Class manufacturing business, and you could be part of that journey! 

We are one of the UK largest bakeries and this role will give you a variety of skills, experience, and group exposure for you to develop within the company. Therefore, we are looking for someone who has the drive, enthusiasm, and ambition to push us to that next level. 

This is a great opportunity for someone to gain experience with one of the UK largest bakery businesses, working with the major Retailers across the UK. They'll work with a friendly and engaging team, which offer opportunities for growth and long term career development.

The Specifications Technologist will play a key role in ensuring the designated critical path stages between concept handover and product launches are achieved, with comprehensive communications of project statuses maintained with all stakeholders. They will ensure that the approved procedures and controls required for the successful launch of new and revised products are followed. They will provide comprehensive and accurate information for Internal and External Customers, including Sample Submission Forms, Specifications, QAS, Trial and Launch information as required. The Specifications Technologist will work as part of the Technical team and work alongside colleagues in Process, NPD and Operations. They will be instrumental to facilitating the production of great value, safe, innovative and quality assured food.
 
To be a success in this role, the Specifications Technologist will have worked in a similar position within Food Manufacturing. They will have good up-to-date knowledge of legislation regarding the labelling of food products and additives and ideally client systems experience. They will also have excellent communications skills and be able to build effective relationships across the business as part of a team. They will also have a passion for the Food industry and be able to challenge effectively.
 
This is what you'll actually do!

As the Specifications Technologist you will ensure all required internal and external documentation is completed to specification, ensuring traceability of any changes to recipe or process are communicated to all stakeholders. You’ll liase between NPD and Technical Departments, throughout launch projects ensuring critical paths are achieved in line with customer expectations. You’ll also demonstrate a detailed practical knowledge of current manufacturing processes, to ensure customer specifications fully reflect the capabilities of the Factory. 
 
You will check artwork and packaging against agreed Pack copy, Legal and Company requirements and Ingredient Specifications ensuring any non-compliance with the specification is reported and followed up. Along with the maintenance of technical aspects of the systems, while adapting to new ways of working driven by the implementation of new systems. With maintenance of all relevant customer portals – highlighting and responding to alerts and escalating to the Line manager. You will also support on external audits where appropriate.
 
Ideally this is you!

•    Graduate level with qualifications in Food Science, Technology or Nutrition
•    Previous experience in a similar position with the Food Manufacturing sector
•    Awareness of nutrition, food tolerance, allergens and additives
•    Good communication skills – Must be able to communicate effectively with all relevant departments
•    Good organisation and administration skills – must be able to multi task and prioritise
•    Up to date knowledge of legislation regarding the labelling of food products
•    Ideally experience of retailer specifications systems and requirements