Raw Material Technologist

Location: Nottingham 
Salary: £32,000 per annum
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm (37.5 hours per week)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Working Arrangement: Site-based

The Opportunity

We are recruiting for an experienced Raw Material Technologist to join an established and growing food manufacturing business based in Newthorpe, Nottingham.

This is an excellent opportunity for a technical professional with experience in food manufacturing, raw material approvals and supplier compliance to play a key role in maintaining quality, food safety and regulatory standards.

You will be responsible for managing raw material and supplier approvals, maintaining accurate specifications and ensuring all ingredients and packaging meet customer, legal and food safety requirements.

Working closely with Technical, Purchasing and Product Development teams, you will help maintain high standards across the supply chain while supporting new product development and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the approval and ongoing maintenance of raw material suppliers, ingredients and packaging.

• Ensure all raw materials meet the required specifications, quality standards and food safety requirements.

• Conduct risk assessments for new materials in collaboration with Purchasing and Product Development.

• Maintain accurate material and packaging specifications, supplier questionnaires, certifications and quality assurance documentation.

• Ensure compliance with relevant food safety legislation, customer requirements and industry standards, including BRC, ISO and GFSI requirements.

• Work closely with suppliers to monitor performance, address issues and maintain KPIs.

• Raise supplier non-conformances and coordinate corrective actions through to resolution.

• Respond to customer enquiries relating to raw materials and packaging.

• Maintain accurate records relating to product provenance, chain of custody and relevant claims.

• Ensure all materials have current and approved Quality Assurance Specifications (QAS).

• Support the Product Development team with finished product specifications, system uploads and timely approvals.

• Ensure materials are trial-approved before ordering specifications are finalised.

• Maintain and support the use of specification management systems across the business.

• Monitor changes to food labelling requirements and food safety legislation.

• Establish and maintain appropriate goods-in checks to ensure incoming raw materials and packaging meet required standards.

The Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Previous experience in a similar technical or raw material role within the food manufacturing industry.

• Strong knowledge of raw material approvals, supplier management and specification control.

• Advanced Excel skills and experience using specification management systems.

• Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to maintaining accurate records.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal teams.

• Good written English and numerical skills.

• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and manage competing priorities.

• The confidence to work independently while supporting colleagues across the wider Technical team.

Desirable qualifications and experience:

• A degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline.

• Advanced HACCP qualification.

• Advanced Food Hygiene qualification.

• Knowledge of relevant food safety standards and certification requirements.

What's on Offer?

• £32,000 annual salary.

• Permanent, full-time employment.

• Monday–Friday working hours.

• Company pension scheme.

• 20 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.

• Ongoing training and development.

• Free on-site parking.

• Free tea and coffee.

• Opportunities for career development as the department continues to grow.

• The opportunity to join an established business with a supportive working environment.

How to Apply

If you have experience in food manufacturing, raw material specifications and supplier compliance, and are looking for your next career opportunity, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV to be considered for this opportunity.