Raw Material Technologist
Pilgrims Europe · Portadown, Craigavon
Our estimate of how close this job is to decisions about what protein a business sources, specifies, buys and serves. How we score
Why this role matters
How close this job is to real sourcing and menu decisions.
Raw material specifications are the paperwork trail that sourcing claims live or die by, and in this seat you would be the one checking that Animal Welfare certifications, alongside Organic, RSPO and PDO claims, actually match what's on file before a product goes out under a poultry and meat processor's name. That's a genuine line of sight into whether supplier documentation on welfare and sourcing standards is current, accurate and enforced, rather than just nominally signed off. It won't let you set the standards themselves, but spec and compliance roles like this are exactly where people build the fluency in supplier certification systems and specification management that later opens doors to roles with authority over what those specifications actually require.
Where this role can take you
What this job teaches you, and the jobs it can lead to.
What you'd build
- Raw material specification management
- Supplier certification verification
- Compliance and risk assessment
- SAP specification systems experience
- On-pack claims and certification literacy (RSPO, Animal Welfare, PDO)
Where it can lead
- Technical Manager
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Supplier Quality Manager
These roles typically hold sign-off authority over supplier approval and specification standards, including the welfare and sourcing requirements written into raw material contracts.
About the role
Pilgrim's Europe is recruiting a Raw Material Technologist for its Craigavon site on a permanent, on-site basis. The role manages raw material specifications, supplier certifications, risk assessments and ingredient compliance across the supply chain. Core responsibilities include reviewing, approving and maintaining raw material specifications; ensuring supplier certifications and compliance documents remain current; completing raw material and packaging risk assessments; verifying on-pack claims including Organic, Vegan, RSPO, Animal Welfare and PDO certifications; supporting suppliers with specification systems and compliance requirements; managing SAP raw material codes and specification updates; and acting as the key contact for supplier and raw material queries. Essential requirements are a food-related qualification or experience in a Technical, QA, Compliance or Food Manufacturing role, strong attention to detail and organisational skills, excellent communication skills, and comfort using Excel, Word and internal systems. Desirable experience includes writing product or raw material specifications, knowledge of food legislation and retailer requirements, and experience with customer specification systems. The advert positions this as a career-development opportunity in Food Technology, Compliance, Specifications and Raw Material Management within a fast-paced food manufacturing business.
This is an extract. Read the full advert on the employer's site.
Key terms to include in your CV and cover letter
What this employer is asking for, in their words. Applications are often screened by software looking for exact phrases, so if these describe your experience, use their wording.
- raw material specifications
- specification review and approval
- supplier certification management
- compliance documentation
- risk assessment
- packaging risk assessment
- on-pack claims verification
- Organic certification
- Vegan certification
- RSPO
- Animal Welfare certification
- PDO
- SAP
- supplier relationship management
- food legislation knowledge
- retailer requirements
- Excel
- attention to detail
How to position yourself
The language that works with hiring managers for this kind of job.
Frame your interest around supply-chain compliance risk and claims integrity, the cost and reputational exposure of an inaccurate Animal Welfare or Organic claim reaching a retailer's shelf is a strong, business-legible hook here. Worth building familiarity with SAP specification systems, retailer customer specification portals, and the structure of certification schemes like RSPO, as these are named directly in the role.
You apply directly with the employer. We just link you to their advert, and we don't see anything you send them.