Food Technologist

Who we are…  

At Odysea, we believe that slow food is the necessary antidote to the restlessness of modern life. It brings us together, feeds conversation, creates new traditions, new rituals, and new stories. For us, life revolves around the kitchen table in Greece, and we want everything we create to reflect that. It’s simple: we only sell food that we would happily share with our own family.  

For more than 30 years Odysea has worked with specialist suppliers to bring the finest Greek and Mediterranean products to the UK. Every product we supply has a story or something special about it: when a producer serenades their goats with classical music or painstakingly transports their beehives by boat, you can really taste their passion and dedication in the end product – and that’s the real secret ingredient.  

We are an entrepreneurial and dedicated team who values our family culture, and who takes personal accountability for our customers’ and suppliers’ satisfaction. Our teams operate in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, highly pressurised environment, where individuals are expected to deliver against tight deadlines. We want people who are passionate, energetic, innovative and flexible to operate in our dynamic environment.  

 What we’re looking for…

We’re looking for a Food Technologist to join our team.  This individual will have a passion for food, our products and our ethos and a deep drive to ensure the quality of our products. They will need to have demonstratable experience in a similar role and be a highly motivated team player and communicator, with a keen eye for detail.  They will thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment with a good ability to prioritise and build effective relationships.

The role…

The Food Technologist will need to have experience in a similar role within the food industry, taking responsibility for food quality and safety management and building excellent working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. They will need to have good attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills and be passionate about our products and ensuring the continued high quality.

Because of the fast-paced, dynamic environment, we use our people’s time to execute key activities add value, and we do not micromanage. We need someone who is comfortable with giving and receiving feedback so that they can address any issues immediately and be able to keep a calm head to solve problems effectively.

Based in Leyton, London (UK) and working from the office, this role will report into the Technical Manager

Your day to day responsibilities…

Customer Technical management: responsible for technical relationships, technical systems and processes and also responding to technical customer queries from any customer. Here the main activities are:

·       Keeping up to date with retailer policies, guidelines and procedures and ensuring ongoing compliance

·       Responding to customer correspondences – complaints, alerts, updates

·       Specifications – Product Spec, Quality Attribute Sheets (QAS), Quality Control Points (QCP) for every sku in place before launch

·       Assist with product safety approvals

·       Nutritional Testing and Label Approvals

·       Shelf-Life Testing

·       Monthly/Quarterly Scorecards & KPI Reports

·       Review risk assessments and HACCP plans

·       Corrective Action Follow-up

·       Attending Conferences

·       Attending customer training programmes

·       Assist with Sedex and ethical audit compliance

·       Assist with product development 

·       Assist with withdrawals/recalls

·       Resolving Technical Penalty Charges and Complaints charges administration 

·       Complete all tasks within deadlines

·       Complete packaging data on relevant portals. 

Supplier Technical Management: assisting the Technical team in the process of supplier selection, approval and management to assure consistent on-going quality and food safety. This includes liaison with suppliers on audits, certifications, complaints and scorecard/KPI issues. This means:

·       Individual complaint investigation in support of customer responses

·       Requesting all necessary information by suppliers and ensure it’s scientifically valid. 

·       Complaint Trend Analysis and Reporting

·       Supplier data collection as part of customer scorecard and other KPI processes

·       New supplier approval process

·       Send and check supplier technical questionnaires

·       Acting as go-between between customers and suppliers

·       Supplier auditing and Corrective Action Follow-up

·       Specification completion. Evaluate if technical info received is scientifically correct.  

·       Managing samples from suppliers

·       Product testing, regular and reactive on potential problems

QMS System Management: responsible for the daily management and auditing of standards, systems and processes which assure the consistent quality and food safety of all Odysea products through the transport, logistics and warehouse operation including branded and private label products.  These activities include:

·       HACCP – proper record completion, review

·       Internal audits

·       Traceability and related exercises

·       Corrective and preventive action

·       Complaints, CPMU calculation, trending

·       Vehicle standards

·       Calibrations and Maintenance. 

·       Pest control

·       Overview warehouse housekeeping and hygiene

·       Internal training

·       BRC certification requirements

·       Specifications – draft and review

·       Supplier monitoring and approval process

·       Monitoring Fridge/Freezer/Van temperatures, manage probes. 

Liaising with other Odysea Departments: liaise with other departments in Odysea on technical matters affecting new product development, sales, logistics and warehouse operations.  This includes:

·       Working with category team and NPD team on new business opportunities for both Private Label and the Odysea brands.

·       Working with the logistics team on any potential launch issues concerning transport, storage, and supply chain management for both Private Label and the Odysea brands.

Requirements

Your skills, attributes, and experience…

·       Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role, either development or project management or both

·       In-depth food knowledge and expertise – a ‘foodie’, someone who knows what good quality looks, tastes, and smells like. 

·       Mediterranean product knowledge – olives, olive oil, feta cheese, yoghurt and honey would be beneficial. 

·       Project management principles – resourceful, problem solver, upfront thinking, and risk management. 

·       Up-to-date on Food Technology: Processing, Microbiology, Packaging, Nutrition, Shelf Life, Allergen management, Food Safety, Quality Management, Statistical Sampling, Food Legislation etc.

·       HACCP and BRC standards

·       Familiarity with UK-Retailer policies, guidelines and Technical IT systems e.g. Sainsbury’s Evolve, M&S Find, Waitrose Engage & WPP etc.

·       EU and UK legislation knowledge

·       Supplier auditing 

·       Principles of Ethical trading, Sustainability, Health & Safety at Work, Sedex. 

·       A full UK drivers licence is advantageous and a willingness to travel abroad will be required

Benefits

What’s on offer…

Competitive basic salary

Pension

BUPA Healthcare

Employee Discounts on products

Training and development 

Cycle to work scheme

Travel card loan