Established in 1997 as the first manufacturer of sushi for the UK supermarket industry, Taiko has evolved into the most innovative manufacturer of Sushi, Food To Go, Prepared Meals and Snacking products in the UK, supplying Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s to name a few. Over the past 25 years Taiko has launched more first to market Sushi and Food to Go products than any other sushi manufacturer in the UK.

The role of the Specification Technologist is to ensure legal compliance and safety of products and packaging through the preparation, maintenance and management of specifications for raw materials, finished products and packaging materials, product labels and other printed packaging, artwork, and all related documents.

The Role of Specifications Technologist reports to the Technical Manager.

• You’ll have a strong customer focus with the ability to communicate with customers on a routine basis
• You’ll have the ability to work within a team and with other departments, demonstrate a flexible approach to work and manage time-critical assignments that involve varying degrees of complexity
• You’ll need good English comprehension, good written and spoken English and be able to understand and interpret regulations and produce work that is accurate and concise.
• Attention to detail and accuracy of documents is a crucial pre-requisite to be successful in the role
• The role requires good computer skills and working knowledge of customer website management. In particular Waitrose Principal Responsibilities

• To create, manage and maintain the specifications for each and every product produced by Taiko Foods.
• To source, manage and maintain the specifications for each and every ingredient, raw material, and item of packaging used by Taiko Foods. Ensure the accuracy and legality of all documents.
• To manage customer specific websites and database; advise the business of policy document updates and summarise for distribution within the business, customer questionnaires as required.
• To facilitate the creation and project management of packaging artwork and label copy for new products and changes to existing products. Ensure the legality and accuracy of information as part of the sign off procedure.
• To manage the approved label database and upload data as required that supports the finished product labelling operation.
• To liaise with the NPD technologist in order to ensure all NPD projects are completed successfully.
• To conduct the supplier risk assessment and approval process and maintain approved supplier registers. Ensuring that all information is accurate, up to date and appropriate to enable management of the risk posed by each supplier.
• To conduct ingredients and packaging risk assessments and approval process and maintain the approved ingredient and packaging registers.
• Actively support the allergen management system and contribute to the HACCP management system as required To ensure processes, procedures and risk assessments are managed and maintained in compliance with BRC requirements.
• To ensure suppliers’ traceability is carried out annually for existing sea food, meat and packaging suppliers.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• As required to achieve the Principal Responsibilities
• As required to support the objectives and the opera