QA- Food Technologist

**Job Summary**:
We are looking for an experienced Food Assurance Technologist to join our team. Based at Ashford, Middlesex, you will be responsible for supporting compliance, product development and operational teams with technical and nutritional expertise while leading all labelling guidelines for co-packing activity (pre-packaged). You will also be responsible for efficiently calculating and creating nutritional and allergen reports /guides for airline customers where required.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**
- Ensure all required information is compiled and provided to Product Development within established timelines
- Data entry into software and dissemination of data to enable Product Development to deliver relevant dietary requirements providing a safe and reasoned option
- Maintaining Specification log, ensuring all approved specs are logged with the correct name, version number and issue date for tracking purposes
- Assured products are sourced from an approved supplier/manufacturer
- Conduct a supplier approval audit when required
- Approve supplier specifications (ingredient, composite ingredients, and pre-packaged food) to ensure those meet legal labelling requirements, and further ensure any restricted foodstuffs are identified prior to menu launch
- Work closely with Product Development to ensure consumer specific requirements are met, e.g. restricted ingredients, religious requirements or nutritional profiles
- Liaise with supplier(s) to address any concerns that may arise during the specification review
- Lead all complaint management liaising with Product Development, Commercial, Service Delivery, Operations, Suppliers, Co Packer, and end customer (external)
- Maintaining customer complaint log, trend analysis and escalating unresolved or reoccurring issues
- Good written communication including report writing, presentation of information and conclusions
- Provide relevant coaching and training to individuals and teams within the business.
- Audit of internal procedures and suppliers for compliance to legal and company requirements
- Lead monthly Gategroup QA network meeting to support and utilise knowledge & expertise for labelling and specification sign off (i.e. languages)
- Support in conducting production trials, transit trials and packaging trials third party facilities and co packing units when required

**Qualifications and Experience**:
**Education**:

- Educated to a minimum of degree level (ideally Food Science/Technology) or equivalent work experience within the food industry

**Work Experience**:

- Previous experience working in the food industry in NPD/Technical function
- Previous experience with Food and drink labelling
- Certification/experience as a FSSC 22000 auditor
- Food safety level 3 (CIEH)

**Skills & Knowledge**:

- Good knowledge in nutrition UK and EU Food Information Regulations
- Good understanding of composition of foods. Interest in food preparation/cooking would be beneficial/of advantage.
- Experience with nutrition calculation programmes would be desirable
- Ability to build relations and work with diverse teams
- Ability to work efficiently using own initiative and as a team to resolve issues effectively
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight timescales, prioritising as appropriate
- Effective verbal and written communication skills in English
- Ability in compiling and presenting management reports
- Organised with attention to detail

**About the company**:
Gate Gourmet, a member of gategroup, is the leading global provider of airline catering solutions and provisioning services for airlines, both in-flight at over 200 airports as well as at airport lounges. From menu design through execution and delivery, our passion is giving our airline customers and their passengers an exceptional experience.

Working with our airline customers and business partners, our talented chefs develop innovative culinary creations that delight the passenger senses. Our operational excellence team and program ensures standardized and consistent catering services across the globe while our extended supply chain and complex logistics operations deliver reliable on-time handling. Our passion for culinary innovation and commitment to operational excellence enables our airline customers to provide their passengers with an exceptional dining experience.