Technical Executive

We are The Collective, the dairy shaker-uppers and just-go-with-your-gut-ers! We are taste revolutionaries, on a mission to create ridiculously tasty, game-changing yoghurts, because let’s face it, life’s too short for big-house factory-bland. 

A brand started 13 years ago by two chefs in New Zealand who wanted to change the landscape of yoghurt forever; we are now one of the fastest growing Yoghurt brands in the UK, and are well on our way to changing how our world tastes, one ‘tub’ at a time *grin*.

Constantly fighting the good food fight is at the heart of everything we do, whether it be striving to be better for people – through our epic flavours and improving gut health, or towards being better for the planet – through our innovative packaging and growing portfolio of carbon neutral yogs. It’s safe to say that finding better ways is in our DNA. 

So, if you’re passionate about food, striving for better and being part of a fast-paced and exciting challenger brand where you can make a genuine difference… then The Collective could be the place for you!

the role

We are looking for a curious foodie to provide technical and product support to the business. You will help ensure our high-quality product standards are met and our brand reputation is upheld.  You will support our technical manager to manage the integrity of our products through close collaboration with our current suppliers. You will also play a key role in 3rd party supplier management, managing and keeping our quality standards up to date. 

You will support the technical relationship with the current (and future) suppliers of our products, through the end-to-end supply chain. You will drive quality improvements through collaboration with product & supply as well as our supplier counterparts.

Reporting into the Technical Manager you will be an active member of the whole team, also playing a key role in supporting our NPD process to ensure new products and processes meet the current legislation and quality requirements. 

responsibilities 

Product Quality Management 

• Manage our Quality Control programme internally and with suppliers by conducting regular panels to monitor product quality across the range 
• Support customer care and customer complaint investigations 
• Assist with KPI reporting and root cause analysis for any quality issues highlighted through QC or complaints 

Compliance and Assurance Management

• Review and update product specification on a regular basis as part of our due diligence. This includes organising product integrity testing etc to ensure it meets product specification
• Support Technical Manager in managing our Quality Assurance/Compliance programme, ensuring documentation & information from suppliers are compliant and up to date
• Manage our Quality Control Panel, with periodic deep dive testing into specific products and purchase locations (ie Instore vs online etc)
• Manage our specification systems and retailer data platforms, ensuring accurate product information that is kept up to date and available for sales and product teams

Supplier Management 

• Help monitor and record KPI’s on a weekly and monthly basis
• Drive quality improvements with suppliers based on analysis of complaints and QC data
• Work with suppliers to perform root cause analysis on any issues and ensure that corrective actions are followed through in the agreed timescale
• Manage our supplier approval procedure to ensure new suppliers are engaged for new business 

Innovation

• Work with our Product Managers and suppliers to agree product specifications, quality standards and shelf life for new products 
• Support Product team with product trials, shelf life/claims testing & validation, sample & prototype making and launches
• Support the Product and Marketing team with packaging development and ensure it meets the functional brief, storage and transport requirements
• Support the Technical Manager, Product and Marketing team by reviewing pack copies and artwork prior to being released for printing for your relevant projects

Crisis Management

• Support Technical Manager with the Crisis Management procedure, assist with regular tests with suppliers

Ethical Accreditations

• Be an active member of the B Corp team focusing on sustainability improvements to involving the product and supply chain
• Support team by collating evidence and documentation from our suppliers as we navigate through the accreditation process 
• Manage our Vegan Society accreditation - Collate evidence, documentation, information from our suppliers to maintain or to apply for a new product accreditation
• Manage our Climate Partner accreditation - Collate evidence, documentation, information from our suppliers for our carbon calculation
• Continue to drive our Sedex platform development 

what we’re looking for from you:
 

• You have a food technology or science related qualification or trained on the job to develop equivalent knowledge. 
• You have some technical experience in a food manufacturing or branded food business with previous Technical responsibility. 
• Some knowledge of the dairy category (or similar) would be ideal, otherwise a desire and drive to learn and embrace a new product area. 
• You are comfortable with both the big picture rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck into the detail as required. 
• Adaptable and willing to help out all teams as required.
• You are highly organised and thorough with a strong attention for detail.
• You get excited about technical and show a passion for food and learning about the food industry.
• You love factories and are flexible to travel to suppliers when required.
• You can work at pace
• You are a firm team player who likes to get their hands dirty
• You can be flexible and understand the ever changing needs of the business
• You are highly organised and thorough with a strong attention for detail
• You are results and solution orientated
• You should also have the confidence to manage your own time and prioritise your workload.
• You are resourceful and curious with a desire for development

what does it mean to be part of the herd?

We are more than a team. We are The Collective. 

Amazing people are at the heart of our business and we genuinely believe we have some of the most talented people around. It is not just the individuals though; it is the energy the team creates together plus our strong values that drive us all to achieve. Just like our products bring a smile to consumers, we work hard to delight and excite our people.

Here at The Collective we want to celebrate you, whoever you are, wherever you are from, whomever you love. We believe that diversity drives innovation and being actively inclusive helps us all to be our best and win together. We don’t want you to fit in with our culture, we want you to add to our culture, that way we create a truly ‘knock your socks off’ team! 

the collective package 

• Competitive Salary
• Performance related bonus scheme
• 25 days holiday and your birthday off
• Awesome summer and Christmas parties 
• 2 volunteering days a year 
• Private healthcare
• Life insurance
• Flexible working
• And of course… as much yoghurt as you can eat!

how to apply 

Please apply here and send along with a copy of your CV, Cover Letter and salary expectations. Please compile your covering letter and CV into one document to upload.

 Applications will close 12th April 2024

We are always bowled over by the number of people who are interested in joining us and although we’d love to get back to everyone with individual feedback, being a very small team we hope you understand that’s not always possible. We’ll be in touch with people successful to interview stage within 2 weeks of the advert closing. Good Luck!