Senior Raw Material Technologist

Description:

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Senior Raw Material Technologist to join a leading FMCG food manufacturing company in London. This role plays a crucial part in ensuring that every ingredient used in production meets the highest technical, safety, and quality standards. You’ll be the key guardian of product integrity, overseeing raw material specifications, supplier approvals, and risk assessments — setting the foundation for all production activities that follow.

This is a hands-on, supplier-facing technical position that allows you to work collaboratively across multiple teams and make a real impact at the earliest stage of the food supply chain. It’s an ideal next step for someone looking to progress toward a Raw Material Manager role in the near future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and maintain robust raw material controls, ensuring compliance with internal, legal, and customer-specific standards.

• Manage and update Insight specifications for all raw materials to guarantee audit readiness.

• Conduct supplier approvals, risk assessments, and technical audits to ensure all suppliers meet required standards.

• Collaborate closely with Technical, NPD, Process, Quality, and Buying teams to ensure consistent raw material compliance.

• Liaise directly with suppliers to collect technical data, certification, and compliance documentation.

• Maintain up-to-date Quality Management System (QMS) documentation in alignment with GMP, HACCP, and customer requirements.

• Deliver detailed reports and KPIs to support performance tracking and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Anticipate and resolve technical challenges to ensure uninterrupted, safe production operations.

Requirements:

• Proven technical experience in the food industry, ideally in raw materials or supplier assurance.

• HACCP Level 3 certification or higher.

• Strong knowledge of food safety, supplier approval processes, and quality management systems.

• Proficiency in Excel and specification management systems.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with suppliers and internal teams.

• Strong problem-solving mindset with a proactive and detail-oriented approach.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, adapting effectively to changing priorities.

What This Role Offers:

• A competitive salary and benefits package.

• Strong opportunities for career progression, with a clear pathway to Raw Material Manager roles.

• Exposure to cross-functional collaboration within technical, NPD, and procurement teams.

• A supportive and improvement-driven culture, emphasizing teamwork, learning, and professional growth.

• The opportunity to influence product quality and food safety from the earliest stage of production.