AddressRole Responsibility
As the Specification Technologist you will ensure the food and drink we sell and serve, is managed in a safe and legal way, to guarantee the highest possible product quality.
As Specification Technologist you will:
- Have had previous experience working within a food manufacturing or food service environment and have sound working knowledge of Food Law including, allergen management and legal labelling requirements for different types of food and drink products.
- Approve product specifications, counter tickets and/or allergen matrices for food and drink products sold within Selfridges’ Foodhall, highlighting concerns or issues with non-compliant specifications or other documents, in good time, prior to launch.
- Liaise with Food Technical, Food B&M, and suppliers, to ensure the specifications and/or allergen matrices are accurate and approved prior to launch.
- To review allergen handling practices and make recommendations for improvements in accordance with industry and legislative best practice and to support the development of allergen training and deliver as required.
- Approve all specifications, or other documents, in-line with Selfridges policies, procedures, and ethical trading requirements.
- Support the on-going review and development of the Quality Management System – including the Supplier Quality Assurance programme.
- To liaise with suppliers, Buyers to resolve queries with product specifications by reviewing product labelling to ensure compliance and highlight non-compliance to relevant parties.
- Where necessary contact Food Research and Food Safety Consultants for assistance to approve specifications or product labels.
- To ensure that the information from approved specifications is communicated to other departments across the business in good time prior to launch. You will do this by liaising with Food B&M Team to ensure that where required product codes are accurately mapped so the data can be transferred to other departments across the business and by liaising with Online and Copy Teams to ensure that product information is correct on Selfridges.com.
- Liaise with Ticketing Team to ensure that the correct product information is on product counter tickets on the shop floor, this information is to come from approved specifications.
- To support the Food Safety team by conducting Foodhall hygiene and allergen inspections to schedule and produce audit reports, report audit failures to Food Safety team, support the development and delivery of additional training material and briefing notes for our key stakeholders, support in supplier-facing food complaint investigations and routine microbiology sampling, and to help build a food safety culture.
- To support the OB Sustainable Food Sales target in our Foodhalls and Restaurants through a robust supplier assurance and product approval process delivering compliant, yet innovative ranges and to support the ongoing Project Earth to promote fish and seafood sustainability with Selfridges Foodhalls and restaurants.
The Ideal Candidate
- Passionnate about food, food safety and food quality standards.
- A great collaborator with sound communication skills.
- Able to work in a fast paced environment with great attention to detail.
- Organised and proactive at planning and prioritizing different tasks.
- A self-starter using own initiative.
- Able to analyse date and problem solve
- Flexible on your approach and adaptable to change.
- Experienced and/or knowledgeable of food composition, basic nutrition, allergens and food labelling legislation and associated Regulations.
A holder of:
- Degree/HND in Food Science, Environmental Health or related discipline
- Level 2 HACCP
- An example of our values by Creating the Extraordinary, Embracing Every Self and Leading with Purpose.
About the Company
Rewards and benefits
Here are just a few of our rewards and benefits that help make our team experience that bit more extraordinary.
Flexible working options to benefit you, your family and your wellbeing that can include part-time, flexi-time, job sharing or hybrid working
Generous annual leave that increases with length of service
Up to five paid volunteering days – from beach cleans to co-ordinating food and clothing donations
Family leave that suits your set up including Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental leave policies
Defined pension contribution scheme
Generous bonus and/or commission scheme
Enviable team member discount including sale previews and double discount days
Exclusive local discounts on a range of restaurants, bars, beauticians and entertainment
Subsidised gym memberships
A sustainable car salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility criteria)
Several internal communities to get involved in from our Diversity Board and Green Warriors who are leading the charge on D,E&I and sustainability, to the Wellbeings who are always thinking of new ways to champion healthy minds, bodies and routines for our team members
Workplace Options, our confidential team member assistance programme for when life gets tricky or you need a little guidance
Access to a wide range of training programmes to help your career development
Read on to find out how you can play your part in Reinventing Retail…
Everyone is welcome
Selfridges is a place where we want everyone to feel a sense of belonging. We embrace every self and are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive working culture. We are leading with purpose to not only increase the visibility and recognition of under-represented talent within our organisation, but the wider industry too. Here at Selfridges, everyone is welcome – irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age or disability, we stand by equal opportunities for all.
To ensure every feels welcome, we offer support at every stage of the application and interview process. Should you need it, please let your recruitment contact know and they will be more than happy to help.
Our awards cabinet
We’re not ones to brag, but since you asked...Selfridges has won the award for The World’s Best Department Store an unprecedented four times at the IGDS awards, with an additional award for the Best Sustainability Campaign. We were also recognised as a ‘Best 25 Big Company to Work For 2020’ as awarded by The Sunday Times.
Selfridges
