About this role
<p><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Technical Innovation Specialist</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Salary: Competitive salary</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Benefits: Company share save scheme, Competitive matched pension contributions, Life insurance up to 4 x salary</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Location: Leeds </span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Ways of Working: Hybrid</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Hours of work: 8:30am to 5:00pm - Monday to Friday </span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Contract Type: Permanent </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Why Greencore?</strong></span></p> <p><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we’re one of the UK’s leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make every day taste better.</span></p> <p><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we’re proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between. In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn.</span></p> <p><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>What you’ll be doing</strong></span></p> <p><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">In this busy and exciting role you will identify, research and trial new technical processes and technologies that enhance food safety, hygiene, compliance and operational efficiency across Greencore. You will translate emerging science and innovation into practical solutions, working with partners and internal teams to validate, test and embed new ways of working.</span></p> <p><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Role Accountabilities</span></p> <p><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Horizon scan emerging technologies and food safety innovations aligned to future strategy</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Research and evaluate new processes, equipment and digital solutions for feasibility</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Plan and lead site trials, ensuring robust data capture, risk management and clear outcomes</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Work collaboratively with Technical, Operations, Engineering, NPD and wider teams to translate innovation into real‑world application</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Build partnerships with universities, suppliers and industry groups to access emerging science</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Develop evidence‑based recommendations that support investment, compliance and safety decisions</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Create documentation, training and knowledge‑transfer materials to support rollout</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Identify opportunities to automate, digitalise or strengthen hygiene and food safety controls</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Ensure innovation aligns to regulatory, retailer and legislative requirements</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Provide regular updates on innovation status, trial progress and technology pipelines</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>What we’re looking for</strong></span></p> <p><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Experience in a technical, food safety, quality or hygiene role within food manufacturing</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Understanding of food safety science, hygiene processes, equipment and risk controls</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Curious, innovation‑focused mindset with the ability to spot future opportunities</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Skilled in data analysis, trial design and evaluation of technical solutions</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Ability to translate scientific and technical findings into clear business recommendations</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Comfortable working across sites and leading on‑line practical trials</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Experience with automation, digital tools or new manufacturing technologies (desirable)</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Research experience or working with academic partnerships (desirable)</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Project management or CI methodology experience (desirable)</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Degree in Food Science, Engineering, Microbiology or related technical field (desirable)</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">At Greencore we put our people at the core. We celebrate their differences and help everyone to be themselves at work. Together we make every day taste better.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">If this sounds like you, join us and grow with Greencore, and be a part of driving our future success.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>What you’ll get in return</strong></span></p> <p><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Competitive salary and job-related benefits</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Holidays</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Competitive matched pension contributions</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Life insurance up to 4x salary</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Company share save scheme</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Greencore Qualifications</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform</span><br><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">• Enhanced parental leave and menopause policies</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color:black;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Throughout your time at Greencore, you will be supported with on‑the‑job training and development opportunities to further your career.</span></p> <p> </p>