Factory Technical Manager

The Compleat Food Group; Clitheroe; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Clitheroe is seeking a Factory Technical Manager to oversee technical operations at their site. You will ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards, manage a capable team, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate has at least three years of experience in FMCG food manufacturing, a degree in Food Science, and strong leadership skills. This role offers a salary of £60,000 – £65,000 plus benefits.

Benefits

Benefits package

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in chilled FMCG food manufacturing.
• Experience in Technical or Quality Management role.
• Proven experience maintaining a QMS.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site's technical function and team.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
• Manage technical budget and KPIs.

Skills

BRC Global Standards expertise

Root-cause analysis

Effective people management

Interpreting shelf-life data

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Advanced Food Hygiene Level 4

HACCP Level 4

Job description

Factory Technical Manager

Clitheroe

£60,000 – £65,000 + benefits

The Compleat Food Group is a fast‑growing, market‑leading chilled food manufacturer supplying major UK retailers. We’re now looking for an experienced Factory Technical Manager to lead the technical function at our Clitheroe site and ensure the highest standards of food safety, quality, legality, and integrity.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Technical, you’ll have full responsibility for the site’s technical function, leading a capable team and working cross‑functionally to drive continuous improvement. This is a hands‑on leadership role in a fast‑paced FMCG environment, ideal for someone who thrives under pressure and enjoys being close to the operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and continuously improve the site Quality Management System (QMS) in line with BRC, customer, legal, and TCFG requirements
• Ensure all manufacturing processes are robust, controlled, and capable of producing safe, legal, and high‑quality products
• Lead technical governance, surveillance, and verification programmes across the site
• Set, track, and deliver stretching technical KPIs to improve quality, microbiological performance, complaints, and compliance
• Drive technical initiatives focused on continuous improvement and root cause resolution
• Lead and support customer visits, audits, and business reviews
• Manage the technical budget to ensure targets are achieved
• Ensure a safe working environment and promote strong food safety and quality culture
• Coach, develop, and build capability within the technical team
• Deputise for the Head of Technical when required

About You

You’ll be an experienced technical leader with strong FMCG credentials and the confidence to operate in a challenging factory environment.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong understanding of customer portals and retailer requirements
• Expert in BRC Global Standards and customer Codes of Practice
• Able to interpret shelf‑life data and complex technical results
• Confident applying food legislation within manufacturing
• Proven problem‑solver with strong root‑cause analysis skills
• Effective people manager with the ability to develop high‑performing teams
• Comfortable working at pace, prioritising workload, and managing pressure

Knowledge & Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a chilled FMCG food manufacturing environment
• Experience in a similar Technical or Quality Management role
• Proven experience maintaining a QMS and internal audit programme
• Strong retailer‑facing experience at Technologist or Management level
• Sound understanding of food safety, product integrity, and brand protection

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline
• Advanced Food Hygiene (Level 4 or equivalent)
• HACCP Level 4
• Lead Auditor/Assessor

Winning Behaviours

• Works at pace with energy, focus, and resilience
• Engaging, influential, and confident challenging the status quo
• Proactive and solutions‑focused, addressing issues at root cause
• Customer‑focused with high personal integrity
• Curious, commercially aware, and always looking for better ways of working

About The Compleat Food Group

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good – great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.

We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own‑label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added‑value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant‑based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.

With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.

We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.