Junior Process Technologist

Company Description

Matthew Walker is a market leading, multi-award‑winning pudding manufacturer with a fantastic heritage. It is now part of the Valeo Foods Group, which houses other household brands such as Rowse honey, Kettle crisps and Barratts sweets. We live by the mantra that every day is Christmas, celebrating innovation and building strong relationships with grocers, media and our employees.

Junior Process Technologist
Monday to Friday 7:30‑4:00
Salary: £27,000.00

Location:

Matthew Walker site, Heanor – valued for its range of desserts and puddings.

• Create and maintain internal product specifications, including auto‑coding, market comparisons and Brandbank uploads.
• Coordinate and run effective factory scale‑up trials.
• Support the introduction of new recipes, ingredients and materials into production.
• Build strong relationships with customers to ensure their needs are understood and met.
• Support pre‑production activities and product launches, collaborating across teams for successful outcomes.
• Collate accurate information for product specifications and SOPs.
• Set up and maintain auto‑coding systems.
• Prepare and distribute recipe benchmarking sheets.
• Develop pallet configurations for Bills of Materials and coordinate amendments.
• Generate, review and update SOPs and associated documentation.
• Create and maintain an allergen database for all products.
• Conduct packaging transit trials and support the approval of new packaging.
• Produce photographic standards and retailer‑specific quality attribute documentation.
• Organise and dispatch Brandbank samples.
• Collate market comparisons and prepare professional PowerPoint presentations.
• Support handover meetings with Production and Quality Assurance.
• Assist with shelf‑life extension requests and documentation.
• Troubleshoot day‑to‑day process and product issues within the factory.
• Support general activities such as first production audits, basic trials, tip‑outs, ERHs, sensory panels, brix and flow testing for sauces, and general admin.
• Provide support to the NPD kitchen as required.

• 3+ years in a food manufacturing environment, or a degree/college qualification in Food Science or a related discipline.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Diligent, detail‑oriented with strong organisational and multitasking abilities.
• Ability to manage a high volume of information, maintain timelines and prioritise effectively.
• Accuracy in numerical data and coding; strong problem‑solving skills.
• Confidence in building relationships, both internally and externally.
• Drive to succeed and continuous improvement mindset.

• Salary: £27,000.00
• Full‑time, Monday to Friday 7:30‑4:00
• Excellent career development opportunities.
• Matched pension scheme up to 10%.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Retailer discount programme.
• Staff discount programme.
• Death in service coverage.
• And many other perks.

• Seniority level:
  Associate
• Employment type:
  
  Full‑time
• Job function:
  Other
• Industry: Food Production