Overview
Technical Specialist (FMCG) Jobs in London Area, United Kingdom at Vertical Advantage
Title: Technical Specialist (FMCG)
Company: Vertical Advantage
Location: London Area, United Kingdom
We’re partnered with a global FMCG business operating at scale across multiple international markets, known for its investment in innovation, product quality, and advanced manufacturing capability. As part of continued growth across EMEA, they are looking to appoint a Technical Specialist to play a key role in translating innovation into robust, scalable production.
This is a hands-on, technically focused position requiring a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, product behaviour, and scale-up challenges within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Overview
This role sits at the intersection of product development and industrialisation, with a strong focus on factory trials, technical validation, and scale-up. You will be responsible for ensuring that new products are successfully transferred from concept and pilot into full-scale manufacturing environments. You will take ownership of the planning and execution of factory trials across a network of third-party manufacturing sites, ensuring products are production-ready, consistent, and meet all required specifications.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of factory trials across multiple manufacturing sites
- Own end to end product scale-up from pilot through to commercial production, using factory trials to validate processes and product performance
- Design and manage trial protocols, ensuring clear objectives, data capture, and successful outcomes
- Be on-site during factory trials, troubleshooting in real time and making technical adjustments to optimise processes
- Analyse trial data to inform process improvements, product consistency, and manufacturing efficiency
- Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation including trial reports, validation protocols, and process specifications
- Work closely with third party manufacturers to transfer processes effectively and ensure successful trial execution
- Identify and resolve technical issues arising during trials and early production runs
- Ensure all products meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards throughout trial and production phases
- Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations to ensure smooth project delivery
- Support a high volume NPD pipeline, ensuring timelines are met through effective trial planning and execution
Requirements:
- Degree qualified in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- 2–4 years’ experience within FMCG, ideally within food, beverage, or liquid manufacturing
- Strong hands-on experience with factory trials, production trials, and process scale-up
- Proven ability to run trials on-site, troubleshoot issues, and adapt processes in real time
- Understanding of manufacturing validation, process parameters, and product behaviour at scale
- Experience working with third-party manufacturers and external production environments
- Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset with a practical, hands-on approach
- Able to manage multiple projects and stakeholders across different locations
- Willingness to travel across EMEA (up to ~50%)
Why This Role?
- Opportunity to take ownership of factory trials across a diverse international manufacturing network
- Work on technically complex products that reach global markets
- Gain full exposure to product industrialisation and large-scale production environments
- Join a business investing heavily in innovation and manufacturing excellence
- Clear pathway into senior technical, process engineering, or NPD leadership roles
