Emerald Cheese is seeking a knowledgeable and proactive Food Technologist to join our Technical team. This role is central to ensuring the consistent production of high-quality cheese products that meet customer specifications, food safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
Working closely with Production, Quality, NPD, and Commercial teams, you will support cheese manufacturing processes, product development, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will have a passion for dairy products, strong technical knowledge, and a commitment to delivering excellence in food quality and safety.
Key Responsibilities Product Quality & Technical Support
- Monitor the quality of cheese products throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring compliance with product specifications.
- Evaluate raw materials, cultures, ingredients, and packaging to ensure suitability and quality.
- Carry out product assessments, including texture, moisture, flavour, appearance, weight, pH, salt, and other quality parameters.
- Investigate product quality issues and implement effective corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).
- Support the optimisation of cheese-making processes to improve consistency, yield, and product quality.
Food Safety & Compliance
- Support the implementation and maintenance of the site's Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
- Ensure compliance with HACCP, BRCGS, customer standards, and UK food legislation.
- Assist with internal, customer, and third-party audits.
- Monitor hygiene standards, allergen controls, traceability, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- Review technical documentation to ensure compliance with legal and customer requirements.
Product Development & Innovation
- Support the development and improvement of cheese products from concept through to commercial production.
- Coordinate factory trials, product evaluations, and shelf-life studies.
- Work with suppliers to assess new ingredients, cultures, and packaging solutions.
- Monitor industry trends and customer requirements to identify opportunities for innovation.
Production & Continuous Improvement
- Work closely with Production to resolve technical issues affecting cheese quality or manufacturing efficiency.
- Analyse production data and recommend improvements to enhance product consistency, yield, and waste reduction.
- Assist in validating new processes, equipment, and product changes.
- Support continuous improvement projects across the Technical and Production departments.
Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain accurate technical records, product specifications, testing results, and quality documentation.
- Complete customer questionnaires, technical reports, and specification updates.
- Analyse quality trends and communicate findings to the Technical Manager and Production teams.
- Ensure all documentation is maintained in accordance with company procedures and customer requirements.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Compliance with product specifications and customer requirements.
- Reduction in quality defects, customer complaints, and product waste.
- Successful audit outcomes and food safety compliance.
- Delivery of product development projects and factory trials.
- Product consistency, manufacturing yield, and process improvements.
- Accuracy and completion of technical documentation.
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree (or equivalent) in Food Science, Food Technology, Dairy Technology, or a related discipline.
- Experience within a dairy or cheese manufacturing environment is highly desirable.
- Sound knowledge of cheese production processes and food manufacturing principles.
- Understanding of HACCP, BRCGS, GMP, food legislation, and quality management systems.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and organisational abilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and technical documentation systems.
Core Competencies
- Dairy & Cheese Technology
- Food Safety & Quality Management
- HACCP & BRCGS Compliance
- Product Development
- Root Cause Analysis
- Continuous Improvement
- Attention to Detail
- Technical Problem Solving
- Communication & Teamwork
- Planning & Organisation
Working Relationships
The Food Technologist will work closely with the Technical Manager, Production, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Procurement, Commercial, and New Product Development teams, as well as suppliers and customers where required, to ensure Emerald Cheese consistently delivers safe, high-quality cheese products that meet customer expectations.
Success in This Role
Success in this role will be demonstrated by maintaining the highest standards of cheese quality, supporting efficient manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with food safety and customer requirements, reducing waste and quality issues, and contributing to the successful development and continuous improvement of Emerald Cheese's product range.
Pay: £24,420.00-£43,504.25 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- UK visa sponsorship
Work Location: In person
