Head Of Technical

Gregory Walker Associates; Bishop's Stortford; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gregory Walker Associates is partnering with a premium food manufacturer to appoint a Head of Technical. You will lead the technical, QA and hygiene agenda, raising standards and shaping a best-in-class food safety culture across the site.

In this high-profile role you will own the Technical function, drive continuous improvement, and work closely with Operations, NPD and Procurement to support growth and ensure regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Senior Technical leadership experience within food manufacturing.
• Strong experience with high-risk/high-care chilled manufacturing.
• Extensive knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, QMS and auditing.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop Technical, QA and Hygiene teams.
• Drive a strong food safety and quality culture across the site.
• Own the QMS and drive continual improvement.

Skills

Senior leadership

HACCP knowledge

BRCGS awareness

Auditing experience

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory compliance

Quality culture

Tools

QMS familiarity

Job description

We're partnering with a fast-growing, premium food manufacturer to appoint a Head of Technical.

This is a business with a highly recognisable consumer brand, a strong position across UK retail and serious ambitions for growth. It has built an enviable reputation for quality and innovation and continues to invest in its products, people and manufacturing capability.

Technical will be central to what comes next.

The Opportunity

This is a high-profile leadership role with genuine scope to make an impact.

You'll take ownership of an established Technical function, but this isn't about simply maintaining standards. The business wants someone who can raise the bar - strengthening systems, developing people and building a genuinely best-in-class food safety and quality culture.

You'll have:

• Ownership of the site Technical agenda
• A broad remit across Technical, QA, Systems and Hygiene
• The opportunity to shape and develop the function
• Significant exposure to the wider senior leadership team
• The backing to drive meaningful change across the operation
• A key role in supporting the business through its next phase of growth

About the Role

As Head of Technical, you'll be the senior technical authority for the operation, ensuring the business delivers consistently against the highest standards of food safety, quality, legality and customer compliance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, coaching and developing the Technical, QA and Hygiene teams
• Driving a strong food safety and quality culture throughout the site
• Taking overall ownership of the QMS
• Maintaining and continually improving BRCGS, customer and regulatory standards
• Leading internal auditing, gap analysis and corrective action programmes
• Driving continuous improvement across Technical and the wider factory
• Leading supplier assurance and co-manufacturer standards
• Working closely with Operations to improve standards on the factory floor
• Partnering with NPD to ensure the safe and successful launch of new products
• Working cross-functionally with Operations, NPD, Commercial and Procurement
• Providing credible technical leadership and constructive challenge at senior level

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for someone with serious Technical credentials within food manufacturing - but just as importantly, someone who can lead.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Senior Technical leadership experience within food manufacturing
• Strong experience within high-risk / high-care chilled manufacturing
• Significant exposure to major UK retailers and own-label
• Excellent knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, QMS and auditing
• Broad experience across Technical, QA and Hygiene
• A track record of raising standards rather than simply maintaining them
• Experience developing and improving Technical teams
• Strong factory and operational understanding
• The confidence to challenge, influence and bring people with you
• A pragmatic, hands-on leadership style

You could already be a Head of Technical or Technical Controller, or a Site Technical Manager.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to put your stamp on the Technical function of an ambitious, growing food business - with the visibility, autonomy and backing to make a genuine difference