Process Technologist

Location: Kent Reports to: NPD Manager The Opportunity A well-established premium food manufacturer is seeking an experienced Process Technologist to support the successful delivery of new and existing products from development through to full-scale manufacture. This is a hands-on, factory-based role focused on ensuring products are manufactured to the required standards of quality, food safety, consistency, efficiency, and customer expectation. The successful candidate will play a key role in factory trials, process validation, recipe and specification control, packaging implementation, and continuous improvement activities across the manufacturing operation. Key Responsibilities Factory Trials & Process Validation * Lead and coordinate factory trials for new product launches, recipe amendments, packaging changes, and process improvement initiatives. * Work closely with Production, Technical, Engineering, Planning, and Procurement teams to ensure trials are planned and executed effectively. * Monitor trial performance, record results, identify process issues, and recommend corrective actions where required. * Support the scale-up of products from development stage through to commercial production. * Ensure products can be manufactured consistently while achieving agreed quality, yield, cost, and efficiency targets. Recipe, Specification & Process Control * Maintain and update recipes, process specifications, manufacturing instructions, and process documentation following approved changes. * Ensure all revisions are accurately communicated to relevant departments and correctly implemented within factory systems. * Verify that manufacturing instructions reflect actual factory operating conditions and production capabilities. * Monitor critical process parameters and product quality characteristics to ensure consistency and compliance with specification requirements. * Support continuous improvement activities focused on yield optimisation, waste reduction, line efficiency, product consistency, and manufacturing performance. Raw Material & Packaging Validation * Carry out raw material checks during trials and validation activities to confirm ingredient suitability, quality, and functionality. * Work with Procurement and Technical teams to support the assessment of alternative ingredients, suppliers, and packaging materials. * Lead packaging trials, including validation of: packaging material performance, seal integrity, coding and traceability, labelling accuracy, shelf-life performance, and production line compatibility. * Ensure packaging changes are fully documented, validated, and successfully implemented within manufacturing systems. Technical & Quality Support * Work closely with Technical and QA teams to ensure compliance with: BRCGS Food Safety requirements, HACCP controls, allergen management procedures, legal and customer labelling standards, internal product specifications * Support shelf-life assessments, quality benchmarking, organoleptic evaluations, and process validation activities. * Assist with the investigation and resolution of process-related quality issues, including product variability, processing defects, packaging concerns, and line performance issues. * Maintain accurate trial reports, specifications, validation records, and process documentation to support audit readiness and full traceability. Skills & Experience Required Essential * Proven experience in a Process Technologist, Process Development, Manufacturing Technologist, or similar factory-based food manufacturing role. * Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes and factory operations. * Experience leading factory trials and supporting commercial product launches. * Ability to analyse process data, troubleshoot manufacturing issues, and implement practical process improvements. * Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy. * Confident communicator with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments. Desirable * Experience within a premium food manufacturing environment. * Knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9, HACCP, allergen management, and retailer codes of practice. * Experience with packaging validation, shelf-life assessment, and process capability studies. * Understanding of raw material functionality, process variation, and its impact on product quality and manufacturing performance. Qualifications * Degree or HND in Food Science, Food Technology, Manufacturing, or a related discipline. * HACCP Level 3 and Food Safety Level 3 qualifications would be advantageous