Food Technologist

Who we are…  

At Odysea, we believe that slow food is the necessary antidote to the restlessness of modern life. It brings us together, feeds conversation, creates new traditions, new rituals, and new stories. For us, life revolves around the kitchen table in Greece, and we want everything we create to reflect that. It’s simple: we only sell food that we would happily share with our own family.  

For more than 30 years Odysea has worked with specialist suppliers to bring the finest Greek and Mediterranean products to the UK. Every product we supply has a story or something special about it: when a producer serenades their goats with classical music or painstakingly transports their beehives by boat, you can really taste their passion and dedication in the end product – and that’s the real secret ingredient.  

We are an entrepreneurial and dedicated team who values our family culture, and who takes personal accountability for our customers’ and suppliers’ satisfaction. Our teams operate in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, highly pressurised environment, where individuals are expected to deliver against tight deadlines. We want people who are passionate, energetic, innovative and flexible to operate in our dynamic environment.  

 What we’re looking for…

We’re looking for a Food Technologist to join our team.  This individual will have a passion for food, our products and our ethos and a deep drive to ensure the quality of our products. They will need to have demonstratable experience in a similar role and be a highly motivated team player and communicator, with a keen eye for detail.  They will thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment with a good ability to prioritise and build effective relationships.

The role…

The Food Technologist will need to have experience in a similar role within the food industry, taking responsibility for food quality and safety management and building excellent working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. They will need to have good attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills and be passionate about our products and ensuring the continued high quality.

Because of the fast-paced, dynamic environment, we use our people’s time to execute key activities, add value and we do not micromanage. We need someone who is comfortable with giving and receiving feedback so that they can address any issues immediately and be able to keep a calm head to solve problems effectively.

Based in Leyton, London (UK) and working from the office, this role will report into the Technical Manager

Your day to day responsibilities…

The mission of the technical function is to drive customer satisfaction and delight in Odysea products by making the quality of Odysea products consistently great! In support of this mission, the Food Technologist has primary accountabilities in the following areas across both own-label and branded products:

• Customer Technical Management
• Supplier Technical Management
• Quality & Safety Management System - BRC

As such the Food Technologist is responsible for:

• Liaison with customers on technical issues, complaints, questionnaires, product specification, packaging details, general enquiries and sample requests. Uploading relevant info on customer portals. 
• Liaison with suppliers on technical issues, complaints, questionnaires, product specification, packaging details general enquiries and sample requests. 
• Odysea Quality & Safety Management System Maintenance 
• Supplier visits
• Participate in label approval
• Salata (Odysea Specification and Labelling Transcribing Application) handling
• Internal Product testing/Sensory assessment exercises
• Sample handling
• Technical administration issues. 

Your skills, attributes, and experience…

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role
• In-depth food knowledge and expertise – a ‘foodie’, someone who knows what good quality looks, tastes, and smells like. 
• Mediterranean product knowledge – olives, olive oil, feta cheese, yoghurt and honey would be beneficial. 
• Project management principles – resourceful, problem solver, upfront thinking, and risk management. 
• Up-to-date on Food Technology: Processing, Microbiology, Packaging, Nutrition, Shelf Life, Allergen management, Food Safety, Quality Management, Statistical Sampling, Food Legislation etc.
• HACCP and BRC standards
• Familiarity with UK-Retailer policies, guidelines and Technical IT systems e.g. Sainsbury’s Evolve, M&S Find, Waitrose Engage & WPP etc.
• EU and UK legislation knowledge
• Supplier auditing 
• Principles of Ethical trading, Sustainability, Health & Safety at Work, Sedex. 
• A full UK drivers licence is advantageous and a willingness to travel abroad will be required

What’s on offer…

• Competitive basic salary
• Pension
• BUPA Healthcare
• Employee Discounts on products
• Training and development 
• Cycle to work scheme
• Travel card loan