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