SENIOR SPECIFICATIONS TECHNOLOGIST BALA, GWEYNEDD PERMANENT FULL TIME £38-40K NEGOTIABLE DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE Purpose The completion of retailer, customer and own brand specifications including: Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Co-op, Aldi, Morrisons, ASDA, Lidl, Premier (Hamilton Grant), The Cake Crew and any others as required. Management and administration of the retailer systems and supporting members of the specification team. The person profile Well organised individual able to use their own initiative to meet tight deadlines, working both as part of a team and individually. This person must be able to clearly communicate internally within the teams and departments as well as with retailers and 3rd parties via both verbal and written means. Must be fully IT literate in the Microsoft package. Key Areas of Accountabilities The writing and completion of all finished product specifications for retailers, customers and own brand products Supplier specification approval and supplier onboarding Fully knowledgeable in primary accounts requirements including retailer/customer codes of practise/standards Have basic understanding of other accounts and support specification completions where required e.g. holiday cover/higher volume work load in other accounts Management of critical path task completion for primary accounts Specification completion to a gold (high) standards, right first time and to meet KPIs Management and administration of the retailer systems, including specification and artwork systems. Communication of any notifications from these systems internally to the correct personnel Generation of pack copies for own brand specifications, including sub and legal name generation Artwork - review and approval including design, content, cutter guides, CAD references etc. Liaison with 3rd parties and retailers/customers during artwork process and communication with both artwork and print houses Support the NPD team with theoretical nutritional calculations and submission form completion as part of the NPD gate process and product submissions Complete “cross checks” in conjunction with NPD team on factory paperwork, recipes, specifications and any other information to ensure all are matching and correct Complete “specification cross check” between the team ahead of spec submission to ensure all information is correct Responsible for Brandbank reviews, including checking and approving product photos/information before product is launched live on a retailer systems Partake in pre and post launch reviews as required Basic understanding of Brexit requirements and ability to calculate codes relating to this Attend NPD meetings and any others relevant to role Support in additional projects relevant to role e.g. packaging matrix, recipe/Product Information Guide guide review etc Awareness of supplier approval and raw material specification knowledge and supporting raw material risk assessment and supplier approval process as required Basic knowledge of BRC and retailer audit requirements Awareness and understanding of any legislation/regulation relating to role Any other reasonable requirements of the business e.g. internal audit completion Support in training and developing other specification writers as required. Key Performance Indicators On time specification completion 95% spec accuracy first time Pack copy generation right first time Artwork approval right first time Completion of critical path on time Skills and Experience – Essential Knowledge of at least 3 of the following retailer systems: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Premier/Mondelez (Hamilton Grant) Up to date knowledge of 3 of the above retailer requirements/Codes of Practice Ability to use own initiative to achieve deadlines Ability to work under pressure and to tight turnaround times Ability to manage your time efficiently Work as part of a team Problem solving capability, either on your own or as part of team as required Flexible and adaptable in your approach to workload Excellent, clear communicator both written and verbal to internal personnel and external customers including 3rd parties Packaging and legal labelling training Excellent computer skills in the full Microsoft package Skills and Experience – Desirable Previous experience working in a similar role, preferably within bakery/complex products Knowledge of all the following retailer systems: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, ASDA, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Premier/Mondelez (Hamilton Grant) Up to date knowledge of all of the above retailer requirements/Codes of Practice Food based degree or similar or qualified by experience Brexit exporting requirements knowledge Awareness and understanding of sustainability requirements e.g. FSC, RSPO, UTZ, RFA Training in retailer specification systems Remuneration Salary £38 - £40K Paid sick and compassionate leave Subsidised local gym membership, includes gym, pool and fitness classes Free on-site parking Signing bonus of £200 at weeks 13 and 26 Free tea and coffee 28 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays