itsu [grocery] is now looking for a bright, ambitious and enthusiastic Food Technologist to join our Technical department. The successful candidate will report directly into the Head of Technical, working closely with suppliers to help drive the company’s high standard and maintain compliance with our quality management system.

role responsibility

Overarching

• Responsible for the quality, safety, legality and authenticity of itsu [grocery] products and supplier performance.
• Support the Technical team in maintaining AA grade BRC accreditation

Supply chain  

• Work with the Head of Technical to approve and onboard new suppliers and support with the closure of audit reports.
• Maintaining our supplier approval database, ensuring certificates and questionnaires are completed and up to date at all times.
• Conduct risk assessment on product range to determine the frequency of testing. Supporting the Technical Executive with ongoing monitoring of product quality, safety and authenticity through routine surveillance testing (covering nutritionals, claim validation, micro, chemical and authenticity testing), shelf-life evaluation and organoleptic testing. Interpret results, action and rectify any non-conformances with the supplier as a result of ongoing monitoring.
• Analyse and interpret trends in customer complaints and conduct investigations with suppliers where necessary to identify the root cause and put relevant corrective actions in place.

Product Development

• Completing and maintaining product specifications across the itsu [grocery] portfolio ensuring signed off products are safe, legal and all product quality attributes are captured. 
• Reviewing and approving legal labelling for new and existing products.
• Attend production trials and first productions.

scope of the role

• Qualified to degree level in food science or a similar subject
• Knowledge of EU food legislation and labelling requirements
• Knowledge of requirements for GFSI approved accreditations BRC, IFS, SQF etc
• Have excellent attention to detail
• Be able to work in a small team and individually
• A minimum of 2 years of technical/ quality management experience required
• Internal & external audit experience & knowledge of food safety systems preferred
• Have a passion for food & Asian inspired food in particular

preferred

• Experience in working with international suppliers (specifically Asian suppliers preferred).
• The expertise of working with a range of different food categories with strong knowledge of UK food regulations

the ideal candidate

• The chance to work closely with the Co-Founder of itsu & Pret
• Competitive Salary + Bonus
• A sizeable training budget to support your ongoing development.
• 25 days holiday
• Company phone
• Health insurance
• Central London office location
• Half Price itsu!

perks and benefits

itsu is a crusading, dynamic, & fast-growing chain of Asian-inspired healthy food shops. itsu [grocery] brings the itsu vision into retail and wholesale worldwide.

itsu and itsu [grocery] are the passion of Julian Metcalfe, co-founder of Pret A Manger. Julian drives product & brand development and plays a vital part of the day to day life in itsu [grocery].

itsu [grocery] has a strong presence within all major UK retailers, taking the brand to £17m turnover (over 30% growth year on year). With more ground-breaking products in the pipeline, this is just the beginning.