About the Role

Moorland Recruitment is partnering with a well-established food and FMCG manufacturer based in Greater London to recruit a Technical & Quality Specialist. This is a permanent, full-time position offering a competitive salary and clear career progression. The role sits at the heart of the business, ensuring product safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across all production lines.

Company Overview

Our client is a leading UK food manufacturer supplying major retailers and food service providers. With a strong commitment to quality, safety, and innovation, the company has experienced steady growth and is investing in its technical team to support ambitious production targets and new product development.

Key Responsibilities

Manage and maintain the site's BRCGS Food Safety certification, ensuring all audits are passed with minimal non-conformities and corrective actions are closed on time.
Develop, review, and update product specifications, including nutritional panels, allergen declarations, and ingredient sourcing documentation for both UK and EU retail customers.
Lead internal GMP and hygiene audits across all production areas, conducting weekly walkthroughs and ensuring corrective actions are documented and verified within agreed timeframes.
Investigate customer complaints and non-conformance reports, root cause analysis using 8D or 5-Why methodologies, and implement preventive measures to reduce complaint rates by a minimum of 15% year-on-year.
Coordinate with NPD teams to ensure new products are fully risk-assessed, factory-trialed, and compliant with relevant food legislation including the Food Safety Act 1990 and retained EU regulations.
Manage supplier approval and raw material risk assessment programmes, conducting audits of critical suppliers at least annually and maintaining an approved supplier list in line with BRCGS requirements.
Train production and hygiene staff on allergen management, personal hygiene, pest control awareness, and HACCP principles, delivering at least four formal training sessions per quarter.
Monitor microbiological and chemical testing schedules, liaising with external laboratories and ensuring all results are reviewed, trended, and reported to the Technical Manager within 24 hours of receipt.
Support the site's environmental and sustainability initiatives by reducing product waste, improving yield accuracy, and ensuring packaging compliance with OPRL and Extended Producer Responsibility regulations.
Prepare monthly technical KPI reports covering complaint trends, audit scores, non-conformance rates, and training compliance for senior leadership review.

Work Environment & Culture

This is a site-based role operating from a modern food manufacturing facility in Greater London. The working pattern is Monday to Friday, with occasional flexibility required during audit periods or product launches. The team is collaborative and supportive, with a strong emphasis on professional development and knowledge sharing. You will report directly to the Head of Technical and work alongside a team of QA technicians, NPD technologists, and production managers. The company promotes a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement, where every team member is encouraged to contribute ideas for process optimisation and quality enhancement.

Candidate Requirements

Minimum of 2–4 years of experience in a technical or quality assurance role within food manufacturing, FMCG, or a related regulated industry.
Strong working knowledge of BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 9), HACCP principles (ideally HACCP Level 3 qualified), and food safety legislation applicable to the UK market.
Experience managing or supporting third-party audits (BRCGS, STS, customer-specific) with a track record of achieving Grade A or AA outcomes.
Proficiency in using quality management systems such as SAP QM, Compliant IN, or similar platforms for managing specifications, audits, and non-conformances.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear technical documentation, reports, and customer correspondence.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience using root cause analysis tools and data-driven decision-making.
Food Science, Food Technology, or a related degree is preferred, though equivalent practical experience will be considered.
Membership or working towards membership of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) or the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is advantageous.

Technical Skills & Tools

SAP QM / SAP ERP for specification management and quality control workflows
Compliant IN, Ideagen, or similar QMS platforms
Microsoft Excel (advanced level) for KPI tracking, trend analysis, and reporting
Microbiological testing interpretation (pathogens, shelf-life studies, environmental monitoring)
Allergen risk assessment and management systems
Supplier audit frameworks and raw material risk scoring
Retailer specification portals (e.g., Walmart Supplier Portal, Tesco Partner Platform, Sainsbury's Supplier Database)

Benefits & Compensation

Competitive salary in the range of £32,000–£42,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications
Company pension scheme with employer contribution of 5%
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Private medical insurance after probation period
Death in service benefit (4x annual salary)
Professional development budget for relevant qualifications, training courses, and industry conferences
Free on-site parking and subsidised canteen facilities
Employee assistance programme with 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support

Career Growth Opportunities

This role offers genuine long-term career progression. The successful candidate will have a structured development plan from day one, with opportunities to progress to Senior Technical Manager, Technical Director, or NPD Technical Lead within 3–5 years. The company actively supports professional qualifications including IFST chartered status, CIEH membership, and advanced HACCP and food safety certifications. Cross-functional exposure to supply chain, procurement, and commercial teams provides a well-rounded career pathway within the food manufacturing sector.

Interview Process

The hiring process consists of three stages. First, a 30-minute initial screening call with the Moorland Recruitment consultant to discuss your experience, salary expectations, and notice period. Second, a face-to-face or video interview with the Head of Technical, including a technical scenario exercise based on a real product complaint or audit finding. Final stage is a site tour and informal meeting with the Operations Director. The entire process typically takes two to three weeks from application to offer. To apply, please submit your CV through the application link below, and a member of the Moorland Recruitment team will be in touch within 48 hours.