Food Product Technologist

FOOD PRODUCT TECHNOLOGIST

We currently have an exciting opportunity within our Food and Beverage team, for a Food Product Technologist. We want an ambitious and energetic individual, who is accustomed to working under pressure, who can troubleshoot, and problem solve, with excellent stakeholder management skills.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys a fast-paced environment with the ability to make meaningful decisions whilst under pressure.

What you'll be doing: 

The purpose of this role to manage the technical aspects of all the HN own label product ranges creating and maintaining detailed product specifications, approving all on-pack nutritional and legal requirements, managing the supplier audit programme, and ensuring that Harvey Nichols is, at all times, compliant with the most up to date legal requirements. 

You will also be responsible for ensuring all products developed and launched meet external commitments, product safety, and legal due diligence requirements. In addition, the role will lead the business in its goal for all its food products to be sustainable sourced and packaged.

You will:

• To be fully aware of, and to communicate any new, legal requirements for the production and selling of own label food products. 
• To work with the cross functional teams to deliver technical aspects of the NPD process on time
• To work with the Buying Manager to create an NPD critical path ensuring that the technical approval process is included at each sign off stage.
• To create and maintain all specifications for all food own label and where applicable, proprietary branded product
• To create and manage a timetable of own label supplier audits carried out to the schedule and all corrective actions followed up and closed off.
• To ensure all own label product in our key categories are suitable for International trading and compliant with International law
• Ensure all new suppliers are compliant and audited to all relevant operational procedures prior to manufacture and supply.
• To ensure all new product is launched with full legal due diligence (including online and international channels) and traceability.
• To ensure all relevant Harvey Nichols staff are provided with training on Technical NPD requirements.
• Working with the buying team to create a QC testing and benchmarking calendar for all own label food lines
• Working with the buying and procurement teams lead Harvey Nichols drive to make our own label food range sustainably sourced and packaged, by keeping abreast of technical advances and communicating accordingly.

About your experience: 

• Scientific degree or equivalent
• Significant experience in a food technical area in either retailing or food manufacturing
• Experience in influencing cross functional teams to deliver new processes
• Supplier auditing experience, specification creation and sign off experience is required.
• Experience of working in a hospitality environment would be advantageous
• Excellent IT skills (MS Office, Excel)

A bit about you: 

• Demonstrate a passion for food
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Numerical and analytical skills
• Planning and organising skills
• Team player
• Maintains an open, honest and respectful culture
• Creates a positive and dynamic working environment

All your hard work, rewarded:

Our colleagues are as important to us as our customers. When working with us you will be introduced to a huge variety of benefits including:

Flexible working
Very generous staff discount plus annual clothing allowance