Food Chemistry Technologist (KTP Associate)

Food Chemistry Technologist (KTP Associate)

Abertay University and Taylors Snacks Limited

£27,000 - £33,000

Full time 37.5 hours per week

Fixed term for a period of 18 months

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious postgraduate with a background in analytical science, food science and technology, applied chemistry or a related discipline, to fast-track their career development as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate. This role will focus on process optimisation and knowledge embedding in relation to the use of potatoes in the production of crisps.

KTP supports partnerships between business and universities or research organisations, placing graduates (KTP Associates) to work on innovative high-profile projects. As a KTP Associate you will undertake a 18-month collaborative project between Taylors Snacks Limited (Taylors) and Abertay University (Abertay). The post, funded by Innovate UK and Taylors, will be based at Taylors’ premises in Errol, Perthshire, with regular lab work based at the University premises in Dundee.

Taylors Snacks Ltd (formerly Mackie’s at Taypack Ltd) are a premium crisps and snacks manufacturer with factories in both Perthshire, Scotland and Sheffield in South Yorkshire. Founded in 2009, Taylors snacks has established itself as one of the leading, independent snacks manufacturers in the UK with capabilities in manufacturing crisps, popcorn and air popped healthier snacks. The two factories combined produce close to 1 million bags of snacks per week which is made up of household branded products and private label snacks. Our snacks are available in almost all UK retailers as well as over 30 countries worldwide.

This KTP will begin by supporting Taylors to embed knowledge of Maillard rection in the production processes of potato snacks. The project will then establish operational procedures to mitigate this and allow Taylors to create healthier products, therefore opening new sales opportunities. This new knowledge will be embedded in Taylors by the Associate and will allow the strategic expansion of the company’s offerings to existing and new customers.

 This complex project requires the coordination and implementation of multiple streams of work therefore the successful candidate must have demonstrable experience of project management skills, ideally within a commercial environment. Excellent communication skills are also essential to support engagement with many different stakeholders with varying degrees of technical knowledge, including delivering training to Taylors staff, and so the ability to clearly articulate and explain complex information in a clear and concise manner is essential.

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 16th October.

If you believe you have the skills and experience for this exciting and challenging role, please submit your application through our online recruitment system.

Please note that we will only accept applications through our online recruitment system.

Committed to Equal Opportunities

Abertay University is a Scottish Registered Charity,

No: SC016040