Specification Technologist

Overview

Specifications Technologist

Zertus UK & Ireland

Based at Kinnerton Fakenham with Hybrid working options.

In this exciting and detail-oriented role, you'll be at the heart of ensuring our brands and customer brands meet the highest standards for legal compliance and accuracy in the UK, EU and non EU markets. You’ll have the opportunity to dive deep into food labeling, verifying pack copy and artwork with precision. 

With a background in food science, nutrition and food labeling, you’ll play a key role in upholding compliance and quality. This role is perfect for someone who loves asking questions, diving into the details, and seeing the tangible impact of their work across well-known brands.

Responsibilities

• Manage the generation and approval of customer (retailer) brands and Kinnerton/ Humdinger brands pack copy documentation, correctly and in a timely manner, ensuring all relevant information is captured for the artwork right first time.
• Being a ‘buddy’ to other members of the team to proofread and check their work is accurate.
• Become an expert in Food Labelling Law, ensuring any on-pack claims are backed up and actively participate to agree titles, subtitles and any appropriate “on-pack” claims.
• Manage the generation and approval of packaging information on the retailer specifications. Manage retailer specifications including the generation and approval of Retailer Finished Product Specifications and Brands using the Specification system (Recipe Professor) and successfully input into Retailer portals or onto paper documentation.
• Complete and manage product technical enquires when requested.
• Respond to customer queries and requests relating to Product Specifications.
• Liaise with the translator service provider to ensure correct legal translations used on pack and correct on pack copy for GSP art worker to use.
• Liaise with legal label service provider to ensure product in the packaging can be legally sold in destined country.
• Communicating with the team regarding legislation updates and attend any training to keep your knowledge current.
• Proofread and approve artwork in line with legal and customer codes of practice.
• Respond to customer/consumer complaints and contacts received via the technical site teams.

Qualifications

• Scientific background: degree / HND educated in food science, food technology, chemistry or product quality-based subject or related discipline.
• Understanding of UK/EU food legislation – the desire to become an expert!
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills in a fast-moving dynamic environment.
• Ability to work with colleagues at all levels across the business and confidence to put across own point of view, open, honest and trustworthy.
• Able to work independently and with initiative and the ability to work within teams.
• Attention to detail.
• Computer literate – Able to use Excel, Word, PowerPoint & Outlook, as well as other online software.
• Ability to work within teams, to be inquisitive by nature and a willingness to look for novel solutions.
• Use of retailer specification systems (or a quick learner with strong IT skills).
• Relevant specification experience in the Food industry - the ability to work on a high volume of ongoing specifications. 

Rewards Benefits

• Pension (4% Employer Contributions).
• Life Assurance Scheme at x4 basic salary.  
• Health Care Cash Plan via Paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling cover), along with access to Paycare Perks for exclusive high street and retailer discounts.  
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Holiday Purchase Salary Sacrifice Scheme (subject to scheme criteria). 
• Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice Scheme  (subject to meeting minimum criteria). 
• Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme  (subject to meeting minimum criteria). 
• Family friendly policies including Maternity and Paternity leave above statutory minimum.
• One day paid per year for volunteering in your local community.
• Company Wellbeing agenda including annual Wellbeing Week, Menopause Support Group and Mental Health First Aid programme.
• Access to staff shop.
• Monthly employee recognition scheme via the ‘Zertus Values Awards’.
• Recruitment Refer a Friend rewards.

About Us

Zertus UK & Ireland comprises three companies – Humdinger Foods, Kinnerton Confectionery, and Lir Chocolates. Our expertise spans the manufacturing of a diverse range of snacks and chocolates, with multiple facilities and offices strategically positioned throughout the UK and Ireland. With a commitment to innovation, we strive to craft products that captivate and delight our customers. Our talented teams have created a growing portfolio of our own famous brands including NOMO, Sun Valley Nuts, Kinnerton Kids, The Fruit Factory, Yum & Yay, Humzingers, as well as collaborations with Bailey's, Guinness and Budweiser!  

As the UK & Irish division of Zertus GmbH, headquartered in Hamburg and boasting a workforce of over 2000 employees across Europe, we are part of a dynamic and expansive global network. 

When you join Zertus, you will be based at one of our Humdinger, Kinnerton, Bromborough or Lir Chocolates UK/ Ireland locations, unless your role is hybrid/home-based.  

Our manufacturing Locations: Heckington, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Fakenham, Bromborough, Navan (Ireland). We have a hot-desking office space in Hull (East Yorkshire) and also in Camden, London. 

Application & Interview Process

Zertus is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

Your application will be reviewed and entered into the selection process consisting of an online and on-site interview at one of our UK locations.

Please let us know if you require any special arrangements or adjustments to be made for your interview by speaking with the Talent Acquisition team at application stage. The provision of this information is likely to include special category data and is therefore covered by data protection laws. We ask for this information so that we are fully aware of any adjustments needed and we will use the information provided to inform our decisions about making those changes.