Hiregulf
A leading airline catering company in Dubai is seeking an experienced Food Technology Coordinator to support food product development, laboratory operations, technical problem-solving, shelf-life studies, and continuous improvement across multiple food production facilities.
This role is suited to professionals with a strong background in Food Technology, Food Science, food formulation, ingredient functionality, and large-scale food manufacturing. The successful candidate will work closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Research and Development (R&D), Procurement, and other cross-functional teams to maintain product quality, improve operational efficiency, optimise costs, and support uninterrupted kitchen and manufacturing operations.
The position involves both laboratory-based work and hands-on technical support on the production floor. The candidate must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume airline catering environment and travelling between production facilities according to business requirements.
Job Responsibilities
Food Technology and Technical Problem-Solving
- Conduct scientific investigations and design experiments to resolve technical challenges related to food formulation, processing, ingredient performance, product quality, and manufacturing efficiency.
- Collect, analyse, and interpret laboratory results, experimental data, and production information to identify the root causes of technical problems.
- Develop practical, science-based solutions to improve product consistency, processing performance, quality, and cost efficiency.
- Prepare detailed technical and scientific reports documenting experimental methods, analytical findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Present technical findings and proposed corrective or improvement measures to relevant stakeholders, explaining their potential impact on product quality, production performance, and business costs.
- Provide timely technical assistance to kitchen and production teams to minimise operational disruptions and maintain continuity of food manufacturing activities.
Food Product Development and Ingredient Evaluation
- Support food product development, formulation, prototype preparation, and ingredient functionality assessments for various food applications.
- Conduct technical trials to evaluate new ingredients, alternative raw materials, and innovative food solutions.
- Collaborate with Procurement and Sourcing teams to assess alternative suppliers and ingredients against established technical and quality requirements.
- Evaluate ingredient performance, functional properties, processing suitability, and their impact on finished product characteristics.
- Support opportunities for cost optimisation, ingredient substitution, supply chain resilience, and product quality improvement without compromising food safety or required product standards.
- Assist with scale-up trials, process validation, production trials, and product commercialisation within large-scale food manufacturing operations.
- Document trial outcomes and provide technical recommendations to support product and process decisions.
Shelf-Life Studies and Laboratory Testing
- Coordinate routine shelf-life studies for food products, including sample scheduling, defined sample collection points, and laboratory testing activities.
- Conduct or coordinate physico-chemical analyses to assess product stability, quality characteristics, and changes during storage.
- Compile and interpret preliminary shelf-life data, identify emerging trends, and submit findings to the reporting manager for review.
- Support product stability assessments and technical investigations related to changes in food quality during storage and distribution.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure that test results are documented, traceable, and available for technical review.
- Assist with laboratory investigations and analytical testing for ongoing food technology projects and production-related concerns.
Laboratory Operations and Equipment Management
- Ensure laboratory readiness to support routine analyses, product development trials, technical investigations, and ongoing projects.
- Operate laboratory instruments and testing equipment in accordance with approved procedures and safety requirements.
- Coordinate equipment maintenance, calibration, and performance checks to support reliable and consistent analytical results.
- Monitor laboratory consumables, reagents, ingredients, samples, and other essential supplies to maintain uninterrupted laboratory operations.
- Follow appropriate procedures for sample collection, identification, storage, handling, and disposal.
- Maintain laboratory cleanliness, organisation, equipment records, and relevant technical documentation.
- Uphold data integrity and ensure the accuracy, completeness, and traceability of laboratory results.
Standard Operating Procedures and Technical Documentation
- Develop, review, maintain, and update laboratory procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), testing methods, and technical work instructions.
- Maintain central databases containing project information, laboratory results, sensory evaluation findings, and customer complaint records.
- Ensure technical documentation is accurate, current, organised, and accessible to authorised team members.
- Support the investigation and documentation of customer complaints involving product quality, formulation, ingredient performance, or processing-related issues.
- Prepare technical summaries and reports to facilitate knowledge sharing, informed decision-making, and continuous improvement.
- Assist with the standardisation of laboratory and technical practices across multiple production facilities.
Food Science Training and Knowledge Sharing
- Deliver basic food science and food technology training to production personnel to improve their understanding of food ingredients, processing principles, and product quality requirements.
- Explain the functional properties of ingredients and how formulation, processing conditions, storage, and handling can influence finished product quality.
- Train relevant team members on laboratory procedures, sample handling, testing methods, and documentation requirements.
- Support knowledge transfer between laboratory, technical, and production teams.
- Identify recurring quality deviations and recommend targeted training or technical interventions to improve production practices.
- Provide guidance and support to junior team members on laboratory activities, technical reporting, and food science fundamentals.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Operational Support
- Work closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Sourcing Solutions, Health and Dietetics, Commercial, and other relevant departments.
- Coordinate technical activities in response to operational priorities, product requirements, customer needs, and business objectives.
- Support production teams with technical assessments, ingredient-related issues, formulation challenges, and process improvement initiatives.
- Ensure food technology activities align with applicable food safety requirements, quality management systems, internal procedures, and manufacturing standards.
- Adapt to changing business requirements and provide technical support across different manufacturing and airline catering facilities.
- Follow workplace safety procedures when handling laboratory equipment, food samples, ingredients, and production materials.
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, or an equivalent qualification is mandatory.
- Master’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Chemistry, Food Processing, or a related discipline is preferred.
- Minimum five years of overall professional experience, including at least three years of experience in the food industry.
- Practical experience in food product development, formulation, prototype development, and ingredient functionality evaluation.
- Hands-on experience with food manufacturing operations, laboratory testing, technical investigations, and analytical data interpretation.
- Experience conducting shelf-life studies, plant trials, scale-up activities, process validation, and product commercialisation.
- Knowledge of food manufacturing processes and technical problem-solving in a production environment.
- Experience collaborating with Production, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, R&D, Procurement, and sourcing teams.
- Experience maintaining technical records, laboratory documentation, SOPs, and project databases.
- Previous experience in airline catering, central kitchens, ready-to-eat food manufacturing, or high-volume food production would be advantageous.
Skills and Technical Competencies – Food Technology
- Strong knowledge of food science, food formulation, ingredient functionality, and product development principles.
- Practical understanding of food chemistry, food processing, product stability, and shelf-life evaluation.
- Ability to conduct laboratory analyses, interpret technical data, and prepare scientific reports.
- Knowledge of food safety principles, quality management systems, and food manufacturing compliance requirements.
- Understanding of product scale-up, plant trials, process validation, and commercial production.
- Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement skills.
- Ability to evaluate ingredient alternatives and assess their impact on product quality, functionality, and production costs.
- Good organisational skills for managing laboratory equipment, calibration schedules, inventory, samples, and technical records.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently, prioritise competing tasks, and make sound technical decisions within the scope of the role.
- Ability to train and guide production staff and junior team members on food science and laboratory practices.
- Flexibility to work across different production facilities and participate in both laboratory and production floor activities.
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