itsu is the Asian-inspired quick service & grocery brand with a compelling vision and global opportunity.

Founded in 1997, itsu is the result of 20 years of innovation across 70+ busy sites.

Itsu [grocery] offers exciting and enticing high-quality Asian-inspired foods [online and in supermarkets] and has quickly become one of the leading brands in that specific group. Yet, it is still the beginning and the business has huge global ambitions.

role responsibility

itsu [grocery] is looking for an experienced and professional Senior Food Technologist to join our Technical team. They will have the opportunity to manage the development of some brand new products for itsu [grocery] from concept to launch. You will play a key role in building new supplier relationships, understanding new manufacturing processes and ironing out any Technical challenges before launch. We are at an exciting growth stage and would love someone who can come on this journey with us and develop with the business.

scope of the role

Overarching

• Responsible for the quality, safety, legality and authenticity of itsu [grocery] products and supplier performance.
• Responsible driving the awareness of a food safety culture and ensuring it is always considered during decision making. 
• Support the technical team in maintaining and improving the Food safety & quality management system and ensure AA Grade certification against the BRC Agents & Brokers standard is maintained.

Suppliers

• Conduct food safety audits for itsu [grocery]'s manufacturing sites, approve and onboard new suppliers and drive an improvement in supplier performance through supplier reviews and KPIs.
• Maintaining the supplier approval databases [QADEX and SEDEX] ensuring certificates and questionnaires are completed and up to date at all times with food safety and ethical risks effectively managed.

Products

• Conduct risk assessment on the product range to determine the frequency of testing. Support 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. Drive continuous improvement with suppliers to achieve a reduction in consumer complaints. 

Product Development

• Embedding the NPD launch process and covering all technical aspects ensuring any technical issues with projects are foreseen and resolved prior to launch.
• 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.

the ideal candidate

•  At least five years experience working in a food technical role across retail or manufacturing,
• Excellent food manufacturing knowledge in chilled or frozen categories and be a competent food safety auditor.
• We are looking for someone who would thrive in a fast-paced environment, isn't afraid of a challenge and will get stuck into the role.
• Degree in food science or similar 
• A love for food (and Asian food) is preferable and always makes the job even more enjoyable!

perks and benefits

• Competitive salary
• Competitive bonus scheme
• 25 days holiday
• Health insurance
• Company pension scheme
• Flexible working 
• Opportunity to work from home abroad 
• 50% employee discount in itsu shops
• Free itsu lunch 
• Discounts at major retailers