Specification Technologist ( 6 month FTC)

Our Head Office department is in the heart of Piccadilly and occupies the 5th & 6th floor of our beautiful flagship store. This central London location offers so much to explore including restaurants, bars, cultural sites, shopping and more, and only a short walk from the Green Park Tube Station and plenty of bus stops.

Job Purpose

To manage and maintain detailed accurate food and ingredient specifications .  The role ensures that products meet legal m safety and quality standards.  Advances for this role would be someone that is familiar with the Oracle system or retail standard systems.  Our suppliers can be medium to small so someone that is able to offer support and guidance to our suppliers would also be an advance.

 Key Responsibilities

Create and maintain product specifications (ingredients, nutritional data, allergens, packaging details).

Ensure compliance with food safety laws, labelling regulations, and industry standards.

Work closely with internal teams such as:

*       Product development

*       Quality assurance

*       Technical / regulatory teams

Liaise with suppliers to gather accurate product information

*       Support small suppliers with a new specification system.

*       Review and approve artwork and packaging labels.

*       Update specifications when recipes, suppliers, or regulations change.

Skills & Qualifications

*       Degree in a relevant field (e.g., food science, nutrition, chemistry).

*       Strong attention to detail**.**

*       Knowledge of:

o   Food labelling laws (e.g., UK/EU regulations)

o   Allergen management

*       Good data management and IT skills

*       Communication and teamwork skills**.**

Example Tasks (Day-to-Day)

*       Inputting product data into specification systems

*       Checking ingredient declarations for accuracy

*       Ensuring allergen statements are correct

*       Communicating with suppliers about missing data

*       Reviewing packaging before products go to market

*       Support our suppliers with the new system

*       Specifications & Data Management

*       Work closely with suppliers to ensure all specifications are accurate, up to date, and accessible to operational teams

Maintain data within specification or menu management systems

Allergen & Legal Compliance

*       Ensure compliance with food safety and allergen legislation

*       Maintain accurate allergen declarations for menus, recipes, and customer information

*       Support allergen risk assessments and change controls when ingredients or suppliers change

Personal Attributes

Highly organised and methodical

Confident communicator with both technical and non-technical teams

Able to manage multiple menu changes and tight deadlines

Proactive and calm under pressure

Ability to work under pressure

Working Environment

• Office or hybrid role with interaction across kitchens, sites, and suppliers
• Fast-paced, change-driven hospitality environment

Why Work For Us:

• Competitive salary

• A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40%

• 25 days holidays (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday

• A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum’s ingredients

• A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally

• Excellent pension scheme

We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment.

In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards