Are you ready to lead and drive technical excellence in a well-established food manufacturing environment?

‍This is a fantastic opportunity for a Technical Manager looking to step up or an experienced Head of Technical seeking a fresh challenge.

Working for a company that continually invests in both its operations and employees, this role offers the autonomy to implement real change, enhance processes, and make a lasting impact. You’ll be at the forefront of technical strategy, ensuring the highest food safety and quality standards while driving continuous improvement.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys problem-solving, and is passionate about shaping and influencing technical functions. If you're looking to take ownership of a technical department and lead a high-performing team, this could be the ideal next step in your career.

You will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Take     full responsibility for reviewing and delivering training on Quality, Food Safety, and Legal Compliance systems across technical, production,     engineering, and hygiene teams at both sites, ensuring all activities meet legal requirements and industry standards. Implement continuous improvement initiatives where necessary.
• Ensure all Quality, Food Safety, and Legal Compliance systems are regularly audited and reviewed to maintain compliance with customer requirements,     legislation, and industry standards.
• Facilitate compliance with SEDEX in line with customer expectations.
• Act as the lead point of contact for third-party regulatory bodies, including trading standards, environmental agencies, and EHOs, developing strong working relationships.
• Lead and develop the technical team to achieve agreed performance targets.
• Work collaboratively to ensure Health & Safety and Hygiene regulations are adhered to.
• Maintain and update procedures as needed to align with legal and customer requirements.
• Coordinate all technical activities to ensure commitments are met at optimal cost without compromising product quality or service standards.
• Manage raw material supplier relationships, including oversight of approved supplier procedures, ingredient authenticity, specification management,     and coordination of information requirements. Conduct supplier assessments and audits where necessary.
• Organise and lead customer audits, ensuring all necessary preparations are made for successful outcomes.
• Oversee site auditing systems, ensuring regular hygiene, housekeeping,     traceability, recipe control, and paperwork audits are carried out. Provide feedback to the management team and ensure corrective actions are implemented and documented.

• Liaise with NPD teams to ensure correct procedures are followed when sourcing new ingredients or suppliers and oversee the implementation and control of recipes used in production.
• Manage the customer complaint system, ensuring all complaints—both internal and external—are swiftly and effectively handled. Investigate sources of complaints, provide responses, implement corrective actions, and monitor trends, reporting insights to the management team.
• Stay up to date with developments and legal requirements related to food safety, ingredient processes, and measurement regulations, evaluating their relevance and informing senior management of potential impacts.
• Ensure senior leadership is informed of any food safety, technical, or quality issues that could affect operations or customers, providing recommendations for resolution.
• Work with management teams to maintain high hygiene standards, ensuring legal compliance and meeting customer expectations.
• Manage budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities where possible.
• Regularly review the governance of technical and food safety systems and audits with senior management, ensuring all recording systems are thorough, efficient,     and fit for purpose.

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‍What's required?

• Skilled in developing and adapting food safety systems as needed.
• Experienced in handling major retailer requirements, customer expectations, and     third-party accreditation audits.
• Holds a relevant Food Technology qualification at degree level.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, including HACCP (Level 4).
• FSSC 22000 Lead Auditor qualification or similar, with experience auditing     third-party suppliers both in the UK and internationally.
• Commercially aware, with the ability to develop and manage budgets effectively.
• Proficient in using IT for analysis and management.
• Capable of managing ambiguity while maintaining focus on immediate priorities.
• Hands-on approach with the ability to provide strategic direction for long-term     impact.
• Analytical and logical in developing sustainable solutions to problems.

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‍What's in it for you?

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£80,000.00 - £85,000.00 per annum

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‍Do you think you fitthe criteria?

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‍Want to find out more about the role?

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(ID 150)

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