Health and science
Food industry technologist - Food quality specialist
Making sure food and drink products are of the right quality and safe to eat and drink.
Summary
This occupation is found in a wide range of settings across the food and drink manufacturing industry. The role could typically be carried out in a factory or product development environment. Food Industry Technologists may be employed in a large or small food manufacturer, or in a wider supply chain, such as producers or retailers. Food Industry Technologists may be employed within a food quality specialist or product development role.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure the smooth transition of food and drink products from concept to consumption. Food Industry Technologists are the guardians of food quality and safety and ensure that products are of the highest standard, meet legislation and are safe to eat and drink. They maintain documentation in line with product specifications and company policies. They ensure that technical and quality standards are consistently met whilst optimising efficiency to meet business needs. They may improve existing products as well as launch new ones whilst ensuring product safety and quality. They are subject matter experts in their field and are likely to work with teams to develop effective manufacturing processes ensuring that technical and quality standards are consistently met. A Food Quality Specialist monitors the quality of the food and drink product. A Food Development Specialist contributes to the development of new and existing food products.
In their daily work, an employee is likely to report to a technical professional from the food industry. They interact with a range of internal stakeholders, including teams in production, commercial, supply chain, engineering, finance, and health, safety and environment. They may also deal with external stakeholders such as auditors, suppliers and customers.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring that food products are safe to consume and of a consistent appearance, taste and texture to comply with company, customer and industry standards. They initiate and complete tasks following standard processes and proactively resolve technical problems within their levels of responsibility. Using insight from a variety of sources including data analysis and observations, they make recommendations and support the implementation of improved ways of working.
Typical job titles include
- Food and drink quality auditor | Food and drink technologist | Food technologist | New product development technologist | Operations quality expert | Process development technologist,
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Food processing technologies, including, energy transfer, size reduction, mixing and forming.
K2:
Product legislation and regulations in the food and drink industry, including weights and measures, labelling, nutrition and health claims.
K3:
Legislation and regulations specified within the industry including Health and safety, environment, employment, ethical and sustainability.
K4:
Basic principles of microbiology: common food pathogens and toxins and controls including end to end production, spoilage and shelf life.
K5:
Basic principles of food nutrition, to include food chemistry and macro nutrients.
K6:
Methods used in sensory evaluation.
K7:
Food industry standards (for example, British Retail Consortium and other audit bodies).
K8:
Quality Management Systems, Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP), Good Hygiene Practices (GHP), process flow and risk management Standard Operating Processes (SOP).
K9:
The purpose of internal and external audits and how they impact the food industry.
K10:
Methods used to collect, interpret and analyse data.
K11:
Principles of raw materials including sources and factors that affect supply (product authenticity, Threat Assessment and Critical Control (TACCP) and Vulnerability Assessment Critical Control Point (VACCP), sustainable sourcing, ethical issues, supply chain).
K12:
Raw material and product specifications including quality and legal requirements
K13:
Problem solving investigation techniques used to resolve non-conforming product and processes issues and how to identify and implement Continuous Improvements (CI).
K14:
How to cost a product including cost drivers.
K15:
Food safety management systems, including methods of pest control and pest prevention, food hygiene and allergen control.
K16:
The new and existing product development (NPD and EPD) process and the involvement of all business functions.
K17:
Different methods used to communicate and collaborate with technical and non-technical audiences and their advantages and disadvantages.
K25:
Techniques, methods and standards to be considered when auditing food products and processes.
K26:
How to utilise equipment and techniques to monitor environmental conditions and their impact on food safety, quality and production.
K27:
The techniques and equipment used to monitor the quality of raw materials and their impact on the safety and quality of the final product.
K28:
Cost and production implications that can occur through defective raw materials.
K29:
Monitoring methods and techniques required to check the quality processing systems and standards and their wider impact on the business.
K30:
How to identify, prioritise and escalate process and product quality issues and make recommendations to address them.
K31:
How to prioritise and implement corrective action to update processes.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0198: Food industry technologist - Food quality specialist (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- TL0016b: Science - Technical: Food sciences (Level 3)
Technical education progression
- Reference:
- OCC0198B
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £26,259 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3111 Laboratory technicians
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3111/04 Laboratory food technicians
- 2129/06 Food technologists
S1:
Implement and maintain risk management systems (for example, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
S2:
Review and maintain technical procedures for food businesses.
S3:
Use a range of IT systems to analyse and interpret data to identify trends and drive Continuous Improvement (CI).
S4:
Provide and interpret management data and information (reports and presentations).
S5:
Conduct sensory evaluation activities.
S6:
Contribute to Continuous Improvement (CI).
S7:
Develop and maintain effective relationships with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
S8:
Use problem solving techniques and investigation methods, including root cause analysis.
S9:
Influence and negotiate with colleagues and stakeholders.
S10:
Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders using technical language and methods appropriate to the audience.
S11:
Check raw materials, packaging and finished product quality against legislative requirements and specification.
S12:
Monitor and review manufacturing standards and parameters.
S13:
Support trials on new and existing products.
S14:
Investigate product non-conformance and recommend corrective action.
S21:
Conduct food product audits against standards and recommend areas for improvement.
S22:
Conduct food process audits against standards and identify non-conformities and recommendations for improvement.
S23:
Measure environmental conditions throughout the food manufacturing process and escalate non-conformities that could impact food safety and product quality.
S24:
Evaluate raw materials against agreed parameters and report non-conformities.
S25:
Measure and evaluate adherence to quality processing systems and standards.
S26:
Identify and communicate products and process issues and make recommendations for corrective action.
S27:
Oversee the implementation of corrective action to address product and process issues.
S28:
Carry out internal audits and participate in external audits.
S29:
Investigate and resolve problems, including customer complaints or quality issues.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0198: Food industry technologist - Food quality specialist (Level 3) Approved for delivery Technical education progression
- TL0016b: Science - Technical: Food sciences (Level 3) Technical education progression
- Reference:
- OCC0198B
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £26,259 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3111 Laboratory technicians
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3111/04 Laboratory food technicians
- 2129/06 Food technologists
B1:
Take personal responsibility for and promote food safety and health and safety.
B2:
Committed to sustainable working practices.
B3:
Take pride in work and strive to achieve operational excellence.
B4:
Take accountability for planning and progressing work to achieve timelines and quality standards.
B5:
Respond and adapt to work demands and situations.
B6:
Recognise importance of escalating issues when required.
B7:
Builds professional relationships across multi-functional teams, works collaboratively, contributes ideas and challenges appropriately.
B8:
Committed to maintaining and enhancing personal competence through Continued Professional Development (CPD).
Technical Educational Products
- ST0198: Food industry technologist - Food quality specialist (Level 3) Approved for delivery Technical education progression
- TL0016b: Science - Technical: Food sciences (Level 3) Technical education progression
- Reference:
- OCC0198B
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £26,259 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3111 Laboratory technicians
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3111/04 Laboratory food technicians
- 2129/06 Food technologists
