Description:
· · Maintaining brand integrity, product safety and risk mitigation
· Establish an innovative, safe, and technically led product plan and category strategy
· Develop products that are at the technological cutting edge, innovative, and high quality, which also adhere to Babylonstoren’s brand values of quality, freshness, innovation, inspiration, food safety and value
· Manage and monitor technical functions to meet the technical plan, product plan and ultimately the category strategy
· Technical communication and liaison with the buying team, suppliers, production facilities and Farm Shop
· Positively influence all contributing aspects of the supply chain to optimise quality and food safety
· Lead product and process audits, including the formulation of specifications
· Quality monitoring and reporting
· Provide technical input into category, technical and supplier strategies and ensure effective implementation
· Develop packaging that conform to legislation, correct nutritional information, and date marking/coding
· Supplier sourcing and approval based on basic hygiene and risk management
· Shelf-life assessment and implementation
· Ensure supplier and farm supply production efficiencies and quality management
· Source and approve raw material according to specifications and allergen management guidelines
· Troubleshoot quality issues and perform route cause analyses
· Uphold international standards for food manufacturing and processing, using cutting-edge equipment and processing technology knowledge and experience
Requirements:
· BSc Food Science or BTech Food Technology degree with 8-10 years’ experience (retail experience will be advantageous)
· Proven, relevant industry experience and knowledge across a wide range of products
· Understanding of high- and low-risk food processing and efficient segregation
· Understanding of cold chain management and critical control factors regarding maintenance of food products in optimum state
· Practical experience in and understanding of different food preparation stages and processes
· Knowledge of technical processes and principles, i.e. HACCP, GMP, root cause analysis, supply chain, raw materials, micro and listeria management
· Technical product knowledge, i.e. product characteristics, raw material sourcing, manufacturing processes, and quality and safety parameters
· Knowledge of packaging functionality and application
· Understanding of environmental management and sustainability