Technical Assistant Job In Sutterton

Caterfood Buying Group is a collection of independent foodservice suppliers working together to offer both extensive product range, industry knowledge and geographical coverage.

We are looking for a Technical Assistant to support the Technical Manager and buying teams by performing technical administration activities and providing product data management support. This includes offering technical assistance during product development and launch, managing supplier approval documentation including ongoing supplier performance, and ensuring the accuracy of data across the various product data systems. Responsibilities also include setting up projects and generating routine and ad-hoc progress reports, verifying the accuracy of marketing collateral, particularly product information and claims.

Salary: 28,000

Location: Totton, Southampton

Flexible Working: Option to work from home three days a week.

Hours: Monday – Friday 9-5

Role Essentials

• Performing a range of technical and general administrative tasks, including but not limited to setting up projects in Bidflow, creating specification templates in OPRi, product artwork and specification screening, reviewing supplier approval documentation, supplier performance monitoring, reporting against various targets, ensuring data accuracy through regular checks and emerging issue reports.
• Analysing and evaluating product data, investigating discrepancies in data information within OPRi and Erudus inconsistencies, understanding the root cause of these discrepancies, and support with implementing preventive solutions to avoid them.
• Support customer complaints management, identifying any issues, discussing with the technical managers, and investigating with the supplier. Gather further details/evidence where necessary. Provide ad-hoc complaint reports when required.
• Screening supplier technical specification submissions on the OPRi system (supporting specification completion when the need arises), ensure all products have agreed Quality Attribute Sheet (QAS) prior to the technical manager final sign off. Supporting specification administration activities (e.g. unlocking specs, running scheduled and ad-hoc reports).
• Conducting accuracy checks on marketing collateral and product information to ensure that information provided to customers, whether online or in printed materials, remains accurate at all times.
• Support the product development process and product tender evaluation sessions – ensuring sample submission form completion by suppliers, collation and population of the results ahead of any sessions (ahead of Technical Manager sign off).

Who we’re looking for

• Food Science or Technology degree preferred but examples of higher learning (Essential)
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a technical administrative or data analysis role (Desirable)
• Excellent IT skills to design project tracking and reporting tools (including Excel skills such as V-lookups, IF statements, pivot tables, conditional formatting, running basic macros)
• Good communication and influencing skills – oral and written including presentation of reports
• Problem solving, planning & organisation skills with the ability to use initiative and manage administrative activities.
• Strong drive and adaptability ensuring deliverables are met efficiently and effectively.

The Benefits

• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Product / Shopping Discounts
• Local Gym Discount
• Health care plan
• Cinema / B&Q Discount
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Season Ticket Loan
• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays