Specifications Writer

The Cake Crew are seeking an experienced Specification Writer to join their team at their Bala Site.
The role involves the completion of retail, customer and own brand specifications including: Sainsburys, Tesco, Co-op, Aldi, Morrisons, ASDA, Lidl, Premior (Hamilton Grant), Cake Crew and any others as required. Management and administration of the retailer systems.
Main aspects of the role are
The writing and completion of all finished products specifications for retailers, customers and own brand products
Primary account responsibility to be agreed with Technical Services Manager/Technical Manager to share fair share of work load and projects. Accounts may change during employment
Fully knowledgeable in primary accounts requirements including retailer/customer codes of practise/standards
Have basic understanding of other accounts and support specification completions where required e.g. holiday cover/higher volume work load in that account
Management of critical path task completion for primary accounts
Specification completion to a gold (high) standards, right first time and to meet KPIs
Management and administration of the retailer systems, including specification and artwork systems. Communication of any notifications from these systems internally to correct personnel
Generation of pack copies for own brand specifications, including sub and legal name generation
Artwork - review and approval including design, content, cutter guides, CAD references etc. Liaison with 3rd parties and retailers/customers during artwork process and communication with both artwork and print houses
Support the NPD team with theoretical nutritional calculations and submission form completion as part of the NPD gate process and product submissions
Complete “cross checks” in conjunction with NPD team on factory paperwork, recipes, specifications and any other information to ensure all are matching and correct
Responsible for Brandbank reviews, including checking and approving product photos/information before product is launched live on a retailer systems
Partake in pre and post launch reviews as required
Basic understanding of Brexit requirements and ability to calculate codes relating to this
Attend NPD meetings and any others relevant to role
Support in additional projects relevant to role e.g. packaging matrix, recipe/Product Information Guide guide review etc
Awareness of supplier approval and raw material specification knowledge
Basic knowledge of BRC and retailer audit requirements
Awareness and understanding of any legislation/regulation relating to role
Any other reasonable requirements of the business e.g. internal audit completion
Essential skills and experience are
Previous experience working in a similar role, preferably within bakery/complex products
Knowledge of at least 3 of the following retailer systems: Tesco, Sainsburys, Co-op, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Premier/Mondelez (Hamilton Grant)
Up to date knowledge of 3 of the above retailer requirements/COP
Ability to use own initiative to achieve deadlines
Ability to work under pressure and to tight turnaround times
Time management
Team player
Problem solving capability, either on own or as part of team as required
Flexible and adabtable approach to work
Excellent, clear communicator both in writing and verbal to internal personnel and external customers including 3rd parties
Basic Brexit coding requirements knowledge
Packaging and legal labelling training
HACCP/Food Safety Level 2 training
Excellent computer skills in the full Microsoft package
Desireable
Knowledge of all the following retailer systems: Tesco, Sainsburys, Co-op, ASDA, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Premier/Mondelez (Hamilton Grant), Iceland
Up to date knowledge of all of the above retailer requirements/COP
Food based degree or similar
Brexit exporting requirements knowledge
Awareness and understanding of sustainability requirements e.g. FSC, RSPO, UTZ
Training in retailer specification systems
Internal audit training
HACCP/Food Safety Level 3 training
To apply please forward your CV to terri.roberts@thecakecrew.co.uk