Factory Technical Manager

Kanes Foods Ltd; Middle Littleton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A food manufacturing company in Middle Littleton is looking for a Factory Technical Manager to ensure the highest standards of food safety, legality, and product quality. You will lead a technical team, manage audits, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in FMCG food manufacturing, knowledge of HACCP and BRCGS standards, and strong leadership skills. This is a critical role within a fast-paced, retail-facing environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in senior technical leadership in FMCG food manufacturing.
• Proven experience in leading compliance with BRCGS standards.
• Strong understanding of food safety management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead site technical standards for food safety and product quality.
• Manage HACCP and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Drive internal and external audit preparations.

Skills

Leadership

Technical knowledge of HACCP

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree in food science or related technical discipline

HACCP Level 4

Lead Auditor qualification

Job description

The Factory Technical Manager will own and lead site technical standards to ensure food safety, legality, authenticity and product quality are consistently maintained.

Job Responsibilities

• Own and lead site technical standards to ensure food safety, legality, authenticity and product quality are consistently maintained.
• Act as HACCP Team Leader, maintaining HACCP, TACCP and Food Defence systems and ensuring they remain effective, compliant and up to date.
• Ensure the site maintains an audit-ready culture, achieving compliance with BRCGS, relevant legislation and customer codes of practice.
• Lead internal and external audit preparation and drive effective close-out of findings and improvement actions.
• Review and challenge factory operations and quality systems to ensure the highest standards are maintained.
• Build, lead and develop a high-performing factory technical team, providing clear direction, coaching and performance management.
• Ensure effective management of key technical areas including factory compliance, allergen management, validation and verification, and microbiological / Listeria control.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement within the technical function.

Operational & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Work closely with the Factory Manager and operational teams to embed strong food safety and quality practices across the site.
• Support operational teams in managing factory non-conformances, leading root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Partner with Operations, Logistics and Commercial teams to ensure food safety, quality and legality are fully considered during NPD and EPD product introductions.

Quality Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure customer complaints, non-conformances and out-of-specification results are investigated promptly, with effective root cause analysis and corrective actions implemented.
• Monitor, analyse and report technical KPIs, incidents and compliance metrics, driving improvement initiatives where required.
• Champion continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to enhance technical systems, processes and site performance.
• Stay informed of industry and technological developments to strengthen technical capability and site standards.

Customer & Business Engagement

• Maintain strong customer confidence in the technical function through professional communication and robust technical management.
• Contribute technical expertise to site improvement initiatives and strategic projects.
• Manage the technical function budget effectively and ensure compliance with site Health & Safety standards.

Job Requirements

• Significant experience in a senior technical leadership role within FMCG food manufacturing, ideally within chilled, short shelf‑life products and high care/high risk environments.
• Proven track record of leading BRCGS and customer audits and maintaining strong compliance with regulatory and customer standards.
• Demonstrable experience working with UK retailers and food industry bodies, managing technical relationships and expectations.
• Strong technical knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, auditing, traceability and food safety management systems within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience driving continuous improvement in food safety, quality and factory compliance standards.
• Degree (or equivalent) in a science, food science or related technical discipline.
• HACCP Level 4 and Lead Auditor qualification.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage, influence and challenge where required.
• Highly organised, collaborative and resilient, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, retail‑facing manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to be contactable outside of core business hours when required to support site operations.