Specifications Technologist

Overview: Specification Technologist
Kinnerton is no ordinary brand. We were the first brand to offer character chocolate in the UK, back in 1978 under the brand Kinnerton Kids. Since then we have gone from strength to strength, placing us as one of the UK’s leading manufacturer of seasonal goods, producing millions of delicious advent calendars and Easter eggs every year! We have two UK manufacturing sites in Fakenham (Norfolk) and Sherburn-in-Elmet (North Yorkshire), a London Hub space in Camden and offices in Hong Kong!
We are also part of the Zertus UK & Ireland Snacking & Chocolate Market Unit partnered with other food manufacturers across the country. We have a unique offering to our customers with our nut safe promise and our commitment to product innovation. We’re also the masterminds behind NOMO chocolate, a delicious free-from and award-winning chocolate range. Responsibilities: Working as a Specification Technologist at Kinnerton is fast paced and rewarding. Your role will be fundamental in ensuring that we continue to produce safe, legal and high-quality products for our customers. You will need to have an understanding, or genuine interest in food safety laws and excellent attention to detail to ensure our finished product specifications are accurate and right first time.
This role can be based at either our Fakenham (Norfolk) or Sherburn-in-Elment (North Yorkshire) locations.
Key responsibilities of a Specification Technologist at Kinnerton:

• Manage the generation and approval of customer (retailer) brands and Kinnerton brands pack copy documentation, correctly and in a timely manner, ensuring all relevant information is captured for the artwork (including marketing titles, “new” flashes, barcodes etc).
• Being a ‘buddy’ to other members of the team to proofread and check their work is accurate.
• Become an expert in Packaging Labelling Food Law, ensuring any on-pack claims are backed up and actively participate to agrees titles, subtitles and any special “on-pack” claims.
• Mange the generation and approval of packaging information on the retailer specifications. Manage the generation and approval of Retailer Finished Product Specifications and Kinnerton Brand using Kinnerton Specification system (Recipe Professor) and successfully input into Retailer portals or onto paper documentation.
• Manage Customer Product Specification and other technical document submissions to customers 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 translator 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.
• Response 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 Inquisitive by nature and willingness to look for novel solutions
• Use of retailer specification systems (or a quick learner with strong IT skills)
• Relevant experience in Food industry