Technical Representative

Position: BAKERY TECHNICAL ADVISOR
Department: SALES AND MARKETING
Employment Type: FULL-TIME PERMANENT

Job Purpose

The Bakery Technical Advisor is responsible for providing technical bakery support to customers, store bakeries, and foodservice clients. The role focuses on product quality, recipe compliance, baking standards, product training, troubleshooting, and identifying opportunities to improve product performance and sales. The advisor regularly visits stores to ensure products are baked, presented, and handled according to company specifications.

Success in this Role

A successful Bakery Technical Advisor ensures customers consistently achieve excellent bakery product quality, staff are properly trained, technical issues are resolved quickly, and opportunities for sales growth are identified through regular store engagement and technical support.

Key Responsibilities

Store Support & Customer Visits

• Conduct scheduled store visits according to agreed call cycles.
• Build strong relationships with bakery managers, store managers, and bakery staff.
• Assess product quality, consistency, and compliance with bakery standards.
• Provide technical support to resolve production and baking challenges.
• Conduct bakery audits and communicate findings to management.
• Ensure correct implementation of new product launches.

Product Quality Management

• Monitor product appearance, texture, taste, weight, and shelf life.
• Ensure products are baked according to approved specifications.
• Investigate product complaints and identify root causes.
• Recommend corrective actions and follow up on implementation.
• Monitor stock rotation and product handling procedures.

Training & Development

• Train bakery staff: Baking methods; Product handling; Portion control; Finishing techniques; Food safety practices
• Conduct product demonstrations and practical workshops.
• Develop and maintain training records.
• Assist stores in improving bakery operating standards.

Technical Troubleshooting

• Diagnose baking and production problems.
• Identify issues relating to Equipment; Ingredients; Storage conditions; Proofing; Baking temperatures and times
• Recommend solutions to improve product consistency and quality.

Product Development Support

• Assist with customer trials and product evaluations.
• Support new product introductions.
• Gather customer feedback on products and market trends.
• Work closely with Sales, Production, and NPD teams.

Sales Support

• Identify opportunities for product growth within stores.
• Recommend product ranges suitable for customer requirements.
• Assist the sales team during customer presentations and product demonstrations.
• Support promotional activities and product launches.

Compliance & Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and customer requirements.
• Promote HACCP and good manufacturing practices.
• Verify correct storage and handling procedures.
• Report any food safety risks immediately.

Reporting & Administration

• Complete store visit reports accurately and on time.
• Document customer feedback and corrective actions.
• Maintain training and audit records.
• Submit weekly activity reports.
• Track customer issues through to resolution.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Customer Support

• Store visits completed versus target.
• Customer satisfaction ratings.
• Customer complaint resolution time.

Product Quality

• Reduction in bakery-related complaints.
• Product compliance scores.
• Successful implementation of corrective actions.

Training

• Number of staff trained.
• Training effectiveness assessments.
• Compliance with baking procedures.

Sales & Growth

• Support delivered for new product launches.
• Customer retention.
• Identification of growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Certificate in Baking, Food Technology, Culinary Arts, or related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years bakery production experience.
• Sound understanding of bread, rolls, buns, pastries, and bakery processes.
• Valid driver's licence.

Preferred

• Technical bakery advisory experience.
• Retail bakery experience.
• HACCP or Food Safety certification.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong bakery technical knowledge.
• Excellent troubleshooting ability.
• Training and coaching skills.
• Communication and relationship-building skills.
• Planning and organisational skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Customer-focused approach.
• Ability to work independently.
• Report writing and analytical skills.
• Good Microsoft Office skills.

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel to customer sites and retail stores.
• Flexible working hours when required.
• Occasional weekend or early morning visits to observe bakery operations.

Work Location: In person