Job Description
Job Title: Food Technologist
Location: Newry, Northern Ireland
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
About the Role:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Food Technologist to join a dynamic and growing food manufacturing company based in Newry. This is a permanent position where the successful candidate will play a key role in product development, innovation, and ensuring the highest food safety and quality standards are maintained throughout the production process.
You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including New Product Development (NPD), Quality Assurance, and Operations, to support product design, production, and testing, while ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
Key Responsibilities:
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Collaborate with the NPD and technical teams to develop new food products, from concept to launch, ensuring alignment with market trends, customer needs, and production feasibility.
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Conduct product and process development trials, providing technical input and ensuring all trials are completed in a timely manner.
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Oversee the testing of raw materials, ingredients, and final products to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and quality control guidelines.
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Assist in the creation and maintenance of product specifications, recipes, and ingredient functionality documentation.
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Support the development and optimization of manufacturing processes to enhance product consistency, efficiency, and safety.
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Ensure products meet quality, safety, and legal standards by adhering to internal food safety systems and external regulatory requirements (e.g., BRCGS, HACCP).
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Work closely with suppliers to source ingredients and packaging solutions that align with product development requirements and quality standards.
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Assist with the preparation of customer presentations, product samples, and product prototypes, ensuring all technical and marketing materials are accurate.
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Conduct market research to keep up-to-date with current food trends, ingredients, and competitor offerings.
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Provide technical support to production teams, troubleshooting product and process issues and implementing corrective actions where necessary.
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Assist with product labeling, including nutritional information, allergen labeling, and regulatory compliance.
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Ensure compliance with food safety, health, and safety policies and procedures within the production environment.
Key Requirements:
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A degree or relevant qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field.
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At least 1-2 years of experience within a food manufacturing or food technology role.
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Strong knowledge of food safety systems, including HACCP, BRCGS, and other relevant food safety standards.
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Experience with new product development processes, including product testing, trials, and formulation.
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Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
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A passion for food innovation and a keen interest in market trends and consumer preferences.