Overview:
Raw Material Technologist
Zertus UK & Ireland (Humdinger Ltd, Kinnerton Confectionery & Lir Chocolates)
Build a career in food safety, compliance and technical excellence. Are you naturally curious, highly organised and someone who enjoys getting the details right?
We're looking for a Raw Materials Technologist to join our Technical team. This could be the perfect opportunity for someone already working in food manufacturing, quality, technical or specifications roles who is looking to specialise in food compliance and supplier approval.
Position type: Full time, permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shift Pattern: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:30
Salary: up to £30,000 per annum
Location: Kinnerton Confectionery Fakenham Site (Norfolk)
Closing Date: 04/09/2026
Responsibilities:
- Review and approve raw material specifications.
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Support the supplier approval process for new and existing suppliers.
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Assess materials against food safety, customer and legal requirements.
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Maintain accurate data and specifications within technical systems.
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Work closely with Procurement, Technical, NPD and suppliers.
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Support compliance with HACCP, allergens, traceability and food legislation.
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Help manage schemes including SEDEX, Rainforest Alliance and RSPO.
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Investigate specification queries and support continuous improvement activities.
Qualifications:
- Experience within food manufacturing essential (Production, Operations, QA, Technical etc)
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Previous quality, technical, specifications or compliance exposure beneficial.
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Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
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Comfortable reviewing detailed information and making decisions.
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Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
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Genuine interest in food safety, compliance and food legislation.
Rewards Benefits:
- Gain your HACCP & Food Safety L3 qualifications, fully funded by Zertus, with the potential to progress onto a food technologist qualification in the future
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25 days annual holiday entitlement
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4% employer and 5 % employee pension plan
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Life assurance plan x4 basic salary
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Various salary sacrifice schemes including pension payments, cycle to work and electric car (subject to meeting minimum criteria)
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Healthcare cash plan via paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling) with a value over £400 each year
About Us:
Zertus UK & Ireland comprises three companies – Humdinger Foods, Kinnerton Confectionery, and Lir Chocolates. Our expertise spans the manufacturing of a diverse range of snacks and chocolates, with multiple facilities and offices strategically positioned throughout the UK and Ireland. With a commitment to innovation, we strive to craft products that captivate and delight our customers. Our talented teams have created a growing portfolio of our own famous brands including NOMO, Sun Valley Nuts, Kinnerton Kids, The Fruit Factory, Yum & Yay, as well as collaborations with Bailey's, Guinness and Budweiser!
As the UK & Irish division of Zertus GmbH, headquartered in Hamburg and boasting a workforce of over 2000 employees across Europe, we are part of a dynamic and expansive global network.
Our manufacturing Locations: Heckington, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Fakenham, Bromborough, Navan (Ireland).
Application & Interview Process:
Application Process
Please apply online via our careers portal: create your account, upload your CV, and answer all the requested questions. You will then be contacted by our Talent Acquisition team via phone call to explore your experience and suitability for the role in more detail.
First Stage Interview – Teams
If selected, you will be invited to an online Teams interview with the Supplier Assurance Manager. This will be a structured interview focused on skills, knowledge and interest in food compliance. We're looking for someone curious, who has done their resreach!
Second Stage Interview – On Site
The final stage includes a visit to our chocolate factory in Fakenham, where this role is based. You will meet the team and also complete a supplier-approval / specification review activity to test your attention to detail.
Zertus UK&I is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Please let us know if you require any special arrangements or adjustments to be made for your interview by speaking with the Talent Acquisition team at application stage.
For detailed information on how we process your personal data, please review our candidate privacy policy on our careers portal.
