Head of Technical

Food Recruit; England; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company based in Berkshire is looking for a Head of Technical to oversee technical management and ensure the safety, quality, and legality of products. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in the food industry, particularly with grocery retailers. Responsibilities include managing teams, supporting production, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. If you have a passion for product safety and quality, we would love to hear from you.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a technical management role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Grocery retailer experience required.
• Strong knowledge of GMP standards, food safety, and quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Shift Technical Managers in the factory.
• Ensure departmental KPIs and objectives are achieved.
• Support production teams to maintain a 'Right First Time' culture.

Skills

Technical management

GMP standards

Food safety

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Job description

Head of Technical

Location: Berkshire

£80,000 + car allowance

The Head of Technical will ensure the legality, safety, quality, and authenticity of products through effective process control (EPC). Guarantee that products are produced to the required specifications.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Management (Factory)

• Oversee Shift Technical Managers in the factory.
• Ensure departmental KPIs, objectives, and plans are communicated and achieved.
• Support production teams to maintain a "Right First Time" culture.
• Maintain Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and resolution of factory incidents.
• Support site audits and maintain compliance with customer codes of practice and industry guidelines.
• Promote good health and safety practices.

Hygiene Management

• Lead the Hygiene Manager and ensure team KPIs are met.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Maintain GMP standards in communal and site services areas.
• Manage relationships with contractors (e.g., chemicals, pest control, waste collectors).
• Ensure corrective actions for out-of-specification environmental microbiological results.
• Audit site hygiene standards and validate CIP performance and allergen controls.

Quality System Management

• Oversee the Quality Systems Manager and team.
• Ensure systems and procedures support team and business needs.
• Maintain records for compliance with customer codes of practice and industry guidelines.
• Promote a "Right First Time" culture.

Customer-Facing Technical Management (Office)

• Lead the office-based Technical Manager and Raw Materials team.
• Support Commercial, NPD, and Process teams in launching new products.
• Ensure compliance with food labelling legislation and customer specifications.
• Investigate customer complaints and implement corrective actions.
• Manage chemical and microbiological testing regimes.
• Maintain supplier specifications and manage short-dated and redundant stock.

Process Management

• Develop a robust process development team to respond to retail and manufacturing product launches.
• Continuously improve processes and address factory process issues promptly.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience in a technical management role within the food manufacturing industry.
• You must have grocery retailer experience
• Strong knowledge of GMP standards, food safety, and quality systems.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Experience in managing site audits and compliance with industry guidelines.Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

How to Apply

If you are a highly motivated individual with a passion for ensuring product quality and safety, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role