Job Title: Retail Specifications Technologist
Location: Manchester, UK
Department: Technical / Quality
Reports to: Technical Manager / Head of Technical
Employment Type: Full-time - Hybrid
Role Purpose
The Retail Specifications Technologist is responsible for the accurate creation, maintenance, and submission of customer-facing product specifications for major UK retailers. Working closely with NPD, Technical, Quality, and Commercial teams, the role ensures all product data is compliant with legal, customer, and internal requirements, supporting successful product launches and ongoing supply.
Key Responsibilities
Specifications Management
Create, maintain, and update end-to-end product specifications for retailer own-label and branded products.
Manage specifications through retailer portals.
Ensure all data is accurate, complete, and submitted within agreed timelines.
Maintain version control and audit-ready records for all specifications.
Compliance & Legislation
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Ensure all specifications comply with current UK and EU food legislation, including:
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Food Information Regulations (FIR)
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Allergen labelling
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Nutrition, ingredient declarations
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Work with internal teams and suppliers to validate ingredient, allergen, and nutritional data.
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Support responses to customer technical queries related to product data and labelling.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Liaise with NPD to support new product development, launches, and artwork sign-off.
Work with Quality and Technical teams to ensure alignment with HACCP, risk assessments, and factory capabilities.
Communicate with suppliers to obtain accurate raw material and packaging information.
Key Accountabilities
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Right-first-time specification submissions.
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On-time completion of customer and internal deadlines.
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Accuracy of allergen, ingredient, and nutritional information.
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Maintenance of compliant, audit-ready specification systems.
Skills & Competencies
Technical Skills
Strong understanding of UK food legislation and retailer technical standards.
Experience using retailer specification systems and internal specification software.
High attention to detail with the ability to manage large volumes of data accurately.
Confident interpreting ingredient specifications, allergen matrices, and nutritional data.
Personal Skills
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Well organised with strong time management skills.
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Able to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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Proactive, methodical, and solutions-focused.
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Confident working independently and as part of a team.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential:
Experience in a food manufacturing environment in a specifications, technical, or quality role.
Experience managing retailer specifications for UK multiples.
Working knowledge of food labelling and allergen legislation.
Working Conditions
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Office-based with some flexibility for hybrid working
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May require flexibility to meet customer deadlines.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Specification accuracy and right-first-time submissions.
Compliance with customer and legislative requirements.
Timeliness of submissions and updates.
Audit and customer feedback.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be reviewed or amended in line with business needs