Raw Material Technologist

PURPOSE STATEMENT

To support the safety, quality, compliance, and approval of raw materials used in manufacturing by maintaining raw material approval documentation, risk assessments, and testing activities, ensuring requirements are met in line with internal standards, customer expectations, and regulatory obligations.

Additional role details
• The role is office based - 5 days a week in Andover
• There will be a requirement for both office-based activities, and time within the production environment such as physical inspection of raw materials or inspection of goods in the warehouse.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTCOMES

Raw Material Quality Assurance & Specifications
• Create, review, and maintain Raw Material Quality Attribute Sheets (QAS).
• Assist in assessing the potential impact of supplier or raw material changes on finished products and customer specifications.
• Support Food Technologists with provision of clear information to streamline the necessary customer specification updates arising from supplier or raw material changes, as required.

Testing, Inspection, Compliance & Verification
• Maintain the raw material testing & inspection schedule in line with agreed risk assessments for safety, quality and legality, as well as customer or certification requirements.
• Define product inspection procedures for any materials identified as high risk
• Coordinate and support raw material testing activities, including review and follow-up of results.
• Carry out in-house raw material testing on randomly selected batches in line with risk assessment, ensuring results are recorded and escalated where necessary.
• Support COA (Certificates of Analysis) and COC (Certificates of Conformance) follow-ups, ensuring documentation is received and filed in a timely manner.

Supplier Performance & Complaints
• Support supplier complaint investigations, including data gathering, communication, and documentation of actions and outcomes.
• Assist in monitoring supplier performance and highlighting emerging risks or trends to senior team members.

Reporting & Responsible Sourcing
• Support palm, soya, and cocoa reporting, ensuring required data is collected and maintained accurately.
• Assist with internal reporting related to raw material compliance, quality, and risk.

Quality Systems & Support
• Support the development, maintenance, and implementation of raw material–related QA processes and procedures.
• Work closely with Procurement, Operations, R&D, and FSQA teams to support effective raw material quality management.

Supplier and Raw Material Approval & Monitoring
• Assist with the raw material and supplier approval process in conjunction with the Senior Supplier Technologist and FS&QA leadership.
• Support the assessment of new raw materials through document review, specification checks, and technical data evaluation.
• Maintain raw material approval records and supporting documentation, ensuring all information is accurate, complete, and up to date on TraceGains and other technical portals.
• Maintain raw material risk assessments, ensuring periodic review and updates following ingredient, supplier, or process changes.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

Critical
• Experience in a similar technical or quality role within food manufacturing.
• Experience supporting raw material assessment, approval, and risk assessment processes.
• Good understanding of GMP, HACCP, and BRCGS food safety standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office packages and technical documentation systems.
• Solutions-orientated mindset with the ability to work at pace and manage competing priorities.
• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail.
• Good analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Desirable
• Previous experience in raw material testing or supplier quality support.
• Educational background in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting customer specifications