Technical SME (Protein)

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.

What you’ll bring

Qualifications & technical knowledge

• 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.

If you’re looking for a new and exciting opportunity and area ready to be the protein technical lead (SME) in the UK's fastest growing chilled food manufacturing company helping shape safer, simpler and more resilient supply chains, we’d love to hear from you.