Head of Technical

The Wonderfield Group; Acton; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual discretionary bonus

Pension

Private medical

Life assurance

Income protection

Apprentice programme

Employee discounts

Food discount

Wellbeing services

Job summary

Taiko in Acton, UK, seeks a Head of Technical to lead the Technical, Quality Assurance and Compliance teams in a fast‑paced manufacturing setting. You will ensure food safety, regulatory compliance and product integrity across the site while supporting customer audits and recalls response.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage KPIs and partner with Operations, NPD, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to sustain high standards and safe, legal, high‑quality products.

Qualifications

• Experience leading technical/QA teams.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and audit readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Technical, Quality Assurance and Compliance teams.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
• Ensure compliance with customer standards, retailer codes of practice and regulatory requirements.
• Lead preparation for and management of customer, third-party and regulatory audits.
• Manage relationships with customers, regulatory bodies and certification agencies.
• Drive a strong food safety and quality culture across the business.
• Oversee HACCP, allergen management, traceability and product integrity programmes.
• Monitor technical KPIs and implement improvement initiatives.
• Manage customer complaints, non-conformances and root cause investigations.
• Support product launches and process changes from a technical and compliance perspective.
• Provide technical leadership during incidents, recalls or crisis management situations.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards including BRCGS and retailer requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Regulatory compliance

HACCP knowledge

Job description

Technical - Taiko Acton- BONSAI

Contract: Full Time

Salary: up to £80,000

Contracted Hours: up to £80,000

Established in 1997 as the first manufacturer of sushi for the UK supermarket industry, Taiko has evolved into the most innovative manufacturer of Sushi, Food To Go, Prepared Meals and Snacking products in the UK, supplying Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s to name a few. Over the past 25 years Taiko has launched more first to market Sushi and Food to Go products than any other sushi manufacturer in the UK.

This is a strategic leadership role for an experienced technical professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and is passionate about driving continuous improvement, developing high-performing teams and maintaining exceptional customer and regulatory standards.

This opening positions the role as senior, strategic and attractive to experienced technical managers looking to step into a Head of Technical position.

As Head of Technical, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for all technical, quality and food safety activities across the site. You will ensure compliance with all customer, legal and regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement throughout the business.

Working closely with Operations, NPD, Supply Chain and Commercial teams, you will play a key role in maintaining and enhancing our reputation for delivering safe, legal and high-quality products.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and develop the Technical, Quality Assurance and Compliance teams.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
• Ensure compliance with customer standards, retailer codes of practice and regulatory requirements.
• Lead preparation for and management of customer, third-party and regulatory audits.
• Manage relationships with customers, regulatory bodies and certification agencies.
• Drive a strong food safety and quality culture across the business.
• Oversee HACCP, allergen management, traceability and product integrity programmes.
• Monitor technical KPIs and implement improvement initiatives.
• Manage customer complaints, non-conformances and root cause investigations.
• Support product launches and process changes from a technical and compliance perspective.
• Provide technical leadership during incidents, recalls or crisis management situations.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards including BRCGS and retailer requirements.

We're Proud To Offer

• Opportunity to grow your career alongside with us with available apprentice program
• Brilliant support services designed to enhance your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
• Annual discretionary bonus subject to business and overall performance
• Discretionary Life Assurance
• Discretionary Income Protection
• Group Personal Pension
• Private Medical Cash Plan
• Bespoke reward platform including access to retail, cinema & gym discounts.
• 50% off your food every time you dine with us for you and 3 friends.
• Contribute towards our award-winning sustainability initiatives that delivers progress against 9 UN sustainability goals. We're committed to responsibly sourcing and all our seafood, therefore we only use source sustainable f