Food Technologist

Who we are

At Odysea, we believe that slow food is the necessary antidote to the restlessness of modern life. It brings us together, feeds conversation, creates new traditions, new rituals, and new stories. For us, life revolves around the kitchen table in Greece, and we want everything we create to reflect that. It's simple: we only sell food that we would happily share with our own family.

We’re looking for a Food Technologist to join our team. This individual will have a passion for food, our products and our ethos and a deep drive to ensure the quality of our products. They will need to have demonstratable experience in a similar role and be a highly motivated team player and communicator, with a keen eye for detail. They will thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment with a good ability to prioritise and build effective relationships.

The Food Technologist will need to have experience in a similar role within the food industry, taking responsibility for food quality and safety management and building excellent working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. They will need to have good attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills and be passionate about our products and ensuring the continued high quality.

Leyton, London (UK). This role reports to the Technical Manager and is based in the office.

• Customer Technical Management
• Supplier Technical Management
• Quality & Safety Management System – BRC
• Liaison with customers on technical issues, complaints, questionnaires, product specification, packaging details, general enquiries and sample requests; uploading relevant info on customer portals.
• Liaison with suppliers on technical issues, complaints, questionnaires, product specification, packaging details, general enquiries and sample requests.
• Odysea Quality & Safety Management System Maintenance
• Supplier visits
• Participation in label approval
• Salata (Odysea Specification and Labelling Transcribing Application) handling
• Internal product testing / sensory assessment exercises
• Sample handling
• Technical administration tasks

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role
• In-depth food knowledge and expertise – a foodie, someone who knows what good quality looks, tastes, and smells like
• Mediterranean product knowledge, e.g., olives, olive oil, feta cheese, yoghurt, and honey, is beneficial
• Project management principles – resourceful, problem solver, upfront thinking, and risk management
• Up-to-date knowledge of Food Technology:
  Processing, Microbiology, Packaging, Nutrition, Shelf Life, Allergen management, Food Safety, Quality Management, Statistical Sampling, Food Legislation, etc.
• HACCP and BRC standards experience
• Familiarity with UK‑Retailer policies, guidelines, and technical IT systems (e.g., Sainsbury’s Evolve, M&S Find, Waitrose Engage & WPP)
• Knowledge of EU and UK legislation
• Supplier auditing experience
• Principles of ethical trading, sustainability, health & safety at work, Sedex
• A full UK driver’s licence is advantageous and willingness to travel abroad is required

• Competitive basic salary
• Pension
• BUPA health care
• Employee discounts on products
• Training and development
• Cycle to work scheme
• Travel card loan