Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis – we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.
Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in NPD process of new food products from concept to launch, ensuring safety, legal compliance, and manufacturability.
• Prepare and maintain product specifications and respond to 3 party specifications checks with accurate and timely updates.
• Assist in approval of product artwork and label declarations in line with EU/UK regulations.
• Handle daily technical queries from internal teams, customers, and suppliers including export queries, NPD support, and ad hoc technical data requests.
• Coordinate product sampling, shelf-life testing, and sensory evaluations.
• Coordinate monthly product surveillance testing and quality panels.
• Conduct supplier audits and risk assessments to verify food safety systems and product standards.
• Maintain accurate documentation for product development projects and regulatory approvals.
• Provide technical input during trials, launches, and post-launch reviews.
• Keep up to date with food legislation, retail customer standards, and industry trends.
• Troubleshoot product or process issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Product team and suppliers to prepare and finalize Quality Contracts and QAS documentation for trials and production.
• Support the close-out of supplier audits via online customer portals.
• Maintain and update documentation required for retailer portals (e.g. M&S), including Allergen Risk Assessments, HACCP, site complaints procedures, and supply chain maps.
• Collect and file quarterly supplier testing data to support customer audit readiness.
• Submit Packaging Waste Data reports (H1 and H2) and complete RAM assessments biannually.
• Maintain the master packaging data spreadsheet to reflect all launches and changes.
• Complete annual retailer reports including Soy, Cocoa, Timber, and Valpak submissions.
• Ensure retailer documentation (e.g., M&S A-list specs, SMP forms) is up to date and audit-ready.
• Prepare and update annual schedules for Mock Recalls, Quality Panels, and Surveillance Testing.