Technical SME (Protein)

Are you a protein technical specialist who thrives on solving complex supply chain challenges? We're looking for a Technical (SME) - Protein to protect and enhance our complex supply chain integrity across Protein (meat, eggs and dairy)-from farm/source to finished chilled products. You'll be the go-to expert for protein, partnering with Procurement, Specifications, Site Technical teams, Sustainability and our customers to deliver quality, compliance, resilience and value. What you'll be doing:

• Own and continuously improve our end-to-end protein supply chain mapping back to source, maintaining robust processes to keep
information current.
• Provide SME input to the central Specifications team, supporting fit-for-purpose raw material and finished product
requirements.
• Support supplier food safety and technical approvals, partnering with Audit teams and sites as required.
• Design/oversee testing and validation programmes that protect product integrity, underpin due diligence and support any
specific claims (e.g., origin, welfare, production method).
• Partner with Group Procurement to optimise cost of supply while safeguarding quality and ensuring specifications meet
end-product standards.
• Work directly with manufacturing sites to improve performance where protein drives KPIs (e.g., complaints, quality,
microbiology).
• Help simplify and strengthen our supply chains-reducing touch points and supplier complexity while maintaining resilience and
contingency.
• Build trusted relationships with customers' protein technical teams-ensuring alignment to requirements and, where appropriate,
influencing approvals and supplier lists.
• Collaborate with ESG team on protein sustainability strategy and delivery.
• Lead horizon scanning and keep the business informed-translating changes in legislation, retailer policies and welfare
expectations into clear actions and plans.
• Consolidate, analyse and report supplier performance, identifying trends, risk and improvement opportunities.
• Stay ahead of the curve-reviewing and advising on new technologies and emerging best practice across protein supply.
• Travel as required across the UK, EU and third countries.
  
  Degree (or equivalent) in a science-related discipline.
• Strong protein expertise through education and hands-on experience-ideally with direct exposure to protein supply chains (meat,
eggs and/or dairy).
• Working knowledge of UK retailer policies, relevant legislation and customer requirements.
• Understanding of key certification schemes and supplier assurance.
• Desirable: HACCP Level 4, Food Safety Level 4, VACCP/TACCP (or equivalent).
Core skills
• High attention to detail with a practical, solutions-led mindset.
• Confident analysing data and trends, turning insight into clear actions and measurable improvement.
• Strong written and verbal communication-able to simplify complexity for different audiences.
• Self-motivated with excellent planning, prioritisation and time management under tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across functions, sites, suppliers and customers.
• A strong team contributor who helps raise standards and capability around them.
Experience
• Minimum 5 years' experience within a food-related business, including ideally at least 2 years in protein-dedicated or
protein-focused roles.
• Experience engaging with retailers at Category Technical level (or above) and managing stakeholder expectations.
• Demonstrable track record of performance improvement (quality, complaints reduction, supplier improvement and/or risk
reduction).
• Full driving licence and passport; comfortable with travel as part of the role.