Abel & Cole

Specification Technologist

Who We Are:

Abel & Cole has pioneered organic, ethical and sustainable food delivery for over 30 years. Doing things better is our bread and butter; from saving over 60 million plastic bags by using reusable boxes for our food deliveries, to finding alternatives to plastic long before it hit the headlines. We are forever challenging ourselves to find the most positive way to do business and want everyone to eat organic because it’s one way to save the future. It’s these values that enabled us to become B Corp certified; an optional audit we’ve gone through to recognise how we put people and planet before profit, as well as help us find room for further improvement.

We’re looking for more people to join our team of almost 600, to share our passion for doing the right thing even bigger and better than we do already. In a fast paced and competitive market, we know it’s our people who make the difference. We’ve learnt how important it is to recognise, develop and promote from within; and that trusting people lets them come up with the best ideas and that helps our entrepreneurial spirit to thrive.

Summary:

Reporting to the Grocery Technical Manager and acting as an ambassador for Abel & Cole this is a fantastic opportunity to join an award-winning team that is passionate about delivering top quality products direct to the customer’s door.

The role will be Hybrid with a base at our Andover site, you will work within the Abel & Cole Technical team, whose mission is to support our due diligence and own the technical aspects of new product launches and existing SKUs, to ensure our suppliers and products adhere to relevant food safety legislation, are of the quality expected, safe, and legally compliant for consumers. You will develop strong relationships with our suppliers to drive change and implement continuous improvement to deliver long-term strategies for product safety, quality, legality, and authenticity.

What You’ll Be Doing:

  • SPECIFICATION MANAGEMENT
    • Work with suppliers to review and approve the completion of supplier finished goods and packaging specifications and information provision to meet product launch requirements/critical path and compliance with relevant UK and EU food safety regulations and standards
    • Ensure that all specifications are reviewed regularly, and kept up to date, accurate, and well-maintained
    • Build and maintain strong relationships and communication with suppliers
    • Author and maintain a portfolio of product standards to support production packing teams
    • Maintain all customer specification details and systems to ensure information is up to date and accurate
    • Be the first point of contact to handle any specification related queries should they arise
  • ARTWORK
    • Prepare, check, and technically approve pack copy/artwork in accordance with customer and legal requirements
    • Manage our barcode number bank
  • CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
    • Identify opportunities to improve the NPD and specification processes and implement best practices to enhance efficiency and accuracy
  • LEGISLATION
    • Keep up to date with current and emerging legislation related to food labelling, policies, FIR regulations, allergens and other food safety information
    • Update internal teams as appropriate on any emerging legislations
  • OTHER DUTIES
    • Support the wider supply technical team to respond to customer queries and complaints
    • Work alongside the technical team to provide support with factory trials/validation as required
    • Any other duties commensurate with the role and/or requirements of the business

About You:

  • Previous experience working in a technical or specifications role within the Food Industry.
  • Exceptional attention to detail
  • Strong understanding of UK and EU food safety regulations and standards
  • Some experience in working with retailer web-based systems would be advantageous
  • Computer literate, particularly in MS Excel and other MS Office applications.
  • Flexible approach to working and the adaptability to prioritise and take full ownership of required tasks in a fast-growing company with changing priorities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Superb team player, but with the confidence and ability to work independently.
  • Highly organised, methodical, and tenacious.
  • Keen to learn new things, develop and grow alongside business needs.
  • Confidence to deliver training and information to all levels.

Want To See More:

Check us out at: www.abelandcole.co.uk, www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/abel-cole/, and Instagram

Abel & Cole promotes equal opportunities for all employees. We want our employees to feel they can be themselves at work and develop their talents to the full. Members of staff are expected to take personal responsibility for keeping our workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying - a place where everyone is treated fairly and respectfully.

As part of the recruitment journey, if you need us to make any reasonable adjustments so you’re not disadvantaged, please contact us as soon as possible. We welcome applications from people with disabilities.

To support Abel & Cole’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, we ask that you remove all personal details from your CV. This includes removal of home address, D.O.B and place of education.

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