Head of Technical

The Compleat Food Group; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chilled food manufacturer in the UK is seeking a Site Head of Technical to deliver the technical strategy and ensure product quality, safety, and legality. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in food manufacturing, strong leadership skills, and a degree in Food Science. Responsibilities include managing technical standards, collaborating with departments, and maintaining audit readiness. Competitive salary of £80,000 plus benefits like a car allowance and bonus scheme are offered.

Benefits

Car allowance

Bonus scheme

Opportunities for progression

Qualifications

• Proven senior technical/quality leadership experience in food manufacturing.
• Experience working with major UK retailers.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety and HACCP.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the site Technical function.
• Drive continuous improvement through effective KPIs and audits.
• Collaborate across departments to embed technical excellence.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

Leadership

People management

Compliance

Data analysis

Education

Degree in Food Science

HACCP Level 3

Food Safety Level 3

Lead Auditor qualification

Job description

As Site Head of Technical, you will deliver the technical strategy for the site, ensuring all products meet the highest standards of quality, safety, legality, and integrity. You will be the key technical leader internally and externally, managing relationships with customers, retailers, and cross‑functional teams, while driving continuous technical improvements.

This leadership role offers the chance to shape technical operations, lead a skilled technical team, and maintain audit readiness at all times.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the site Technical function, ensuring outstanding food safety, quality, and compliance.
• Own the sites technical strategy and align it with group objectives.
• Serve as the main technical contact for customers, retailers, and third‑party auditors.
• Drive continuous improvement through effective use of KPIs, audits, and data analysis.
• Maintain and exceed retailer and certification audit standards (BRC, M&S, Tesco, JS, Asda, etc.).
• Manage and develop a high‑performing technical team with clear objectives and regular reviews.
• Collaborate across departments to embed technical excellence in site operations.
• Lead site technical support for new product development, launches, and incident management.
• Ensure full compliance with food legislation, HACCP, TACCP/VACCP, and integrity standards.
• Manage joint quality plans and nurture strong relationships with key customer technical teams.

Qualifications

• Proven senior technical/quality leadership experience in food manufacturing (ideally chilled foods).
• Experience working with major UK retailers, especially M&S, Tesco, Asda, or Sainsbury's.
• Strong people management skills with a record of building and developing large technical teams.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP, legislation, and retailer Codes of Practice.
• Strong understanding of BRCGS standards and experience managing certification and customer audits.Commercially aware with confident influencing skills at all levels.
• Degree in Food Science or a related discipline.
• HACCP Level 3, Food Safety Level 3, Lead Auditor qualification.
• Full UK driving licence.

If you’re a technical leader ready to take the next step and thrive in a fast‑paced food manufacturing environment, we want to hear from you.

Why Join TCFG?

• Be part of one of the UK’s leading chilled food manufacturers.
• Make a genuine impact in a senior leadership role with real autonomy and influence.
• Competitive salary of £80,000 plus a £5,700 car allowance and bonus scheme.
• Work in a collaborative, supportive environment focused on innovation and growth.
• Opportunities for long‑term progression within the wider group.