Process Technologist
hace 5 días
Dover
Location: Kent Reports to: NPD Manager The Opportunity A well-established premium food manufacturer is seeking an experienced Process Technologist to support the successful delivery of new and existing products from development through to full-scale manufacture. This is a hands-on, factory-based role focused on ensuring products are manufactured to the required standards of quality, food safety, consistency, efficiency, and customer expectation. The successful candidate will play a key role in factory trials, process validation, recipe and specification control, packaging implementation, and continuous improvement activities across the manufacturing operation. Key Responsibilities Factory Trials & Process Validation • Lead and coordinate factory trials for new product launches, recipe amendments, packaging changes, and process improvement initiatives., • Work closely with Production, Technical, Engineering, Planning, and Procurement teams to ensure trials are planned and executed effectively., • Monitor trial performance, record results, identify process issues, and recommend corrective actions where required., • Support the scale-up of products from development stage through to commercial production., • Ensure products can be manufactured consistently while achieving agreed quality, yield, cost, and efficiency targets. Recipe, Specification & Process Control • Maintain and update recipes, process specifications, manufacturing instructions, and process documentation following approved changes., • Ensure all revisions are accurately communicated to relevant departments and correctly implemented within factory systems., • Verify that manufacturing instructions reflect actual factory operating conditions and production capabilities., • Monitor critical process parameters and product quality characteristics to ensure consistency and compliance with specification requirements., • Support continuous improvement activities focused on yield optimisation, waste reduction, line efficiency, product consistency, and manufacturing performance. Raw Material & Packaging Validation • Carry out raw material checks during trials and validation activities to confirm ingredient suitability, quality, and functionality., • Work with Procurement and Technical teams to support the assessment of alternative ingredients, suppliers, and packaging materials., • Lead packaging trials, including validation of: packaging material performance, seal integrity, coding and traceability, labelling accuracy, shelf-life performance, and production line compatibility., • Ensure packaging changes are fully documented, validated, and successfully implemented within manufacturing systems. Technical & Quality Support • Work closely with Technical and QA teams to ensure compliance with: BRCGS Food Safety requirements, HACCP controls, allergen management procedures, legal and customer labelling standards, internal product specifications, • Support shelf-life assessments, quality benchmarking, organoleptic evaluations, and process validation activities., • Assist with the investigation and resolution of process-related quality issues, including product variability, processing defects, packaging concerns, and line performance issues., • Maintain accurate trial reports, specifications, validation records, and process documentation to support audit readiness and full traceability. Skills & Experience Required Essential • Proven experience in a Process Technologist, Process Development, Manufacturing Technologist, or similar factory-based food manufacturing role., • Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes and factory operations., • Experience leading factory trials and supporting commercial product launches., • Ability to analyse process data, troubleshoot manufacturing issues, and implement practical process improvements., • Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy., • Confident communicator with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments. Desirable • Experience within a premium food manufacturing environment., • Knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9, HACCP, allergen management, and retailer codes of practice., • Experience with packaging validation, shelf-life assessment, and process capability studies., • Understanding of raw material functionality, process variation, and its impact on product quality and manufacturing performance. Qualifications • Degree or HND in Food Science, Food Technology, Manufacturing, or a related discipline., • HACCP Level 3 and Food Safety Level 3 qualifications would be advantageous