Head Of Technical

Zest; Greater London; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest in London seeks a Head of Technical to own the entire technical function within a well-established food manufacturing business. Lead food safety, quality, compliance and customer-facing technical activities across a diverse product portfolio.

You will drive HACCP systems, manage audits, and provide strategic technical leadership with high visibility across the business, including supplier and retailer interactions.

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior technical leadership role within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, food safety systems and regulatory compliance.
• Experience operating within high-care and/or high-risk manufacturing environments.
• Strong customer-facing experience with retailer exposure.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop technical teams.
• Experience supporting product launches, technical projects and continuous improvement programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the technical team, driving a strong food safety and quality culture across the business.
• Own and continuously improve HACCP systems, ensuring effective risk management for products, processes and raw materials.
• Lead customer, certification and third-party audits, ensuring compliance with BRCGS, SALSA and legislative requirements.
• Act as the primary technical contact for customers, suppliers and external stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across quality systems, hygiene standards and operational performance.
• Support new product launches, process development and commercialisation projects.

Skills

Senior leadership

HACCP knowledge

Quality systems

Job description

Head of Technical

London | £72,000-£82,000 DOE

Are you an experienced Technical leader looking to take ownership of the entire technical function within a well-established food manufacturing business?

We're partnering with a successful food manufacturer seeking a Head of Technical to lead food safety, quality, compliance and customer-facing technical activities across a diverse product portfolio. This is a highly visible leadership role with direct influence over business performance, customer relationships and technical strategy.

The Role

• Lead and develop the technical team, driving a strong food safety and quality culture across the business.


• Own and continuously improve HACCP systems, ensuring effective risk management for products, processes and raw materials.


• Lead customer, certification and third-party audits, ensuring compliance with BRCGS, SALSA and legislative requirements.


• Act as the primary technical contact for customers, suppliers and external stakeholders.


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across quality systems, hygiene standards and operational performance.


• Support new product launches, process development and commercialisation projects.

About You

• Proven experience in a senior technical leadership role within food manufacturing.


• Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, food safety systems and regulatory compliance.i>
  
• Experience operating within high-care and/or high-risk manufacturing environments.i>
  
• Strong customer-facing experience with retailer exposure.i>
  
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop technical teams.i>
  
• Experience supporting product launches, technical projects and continuous improvement programmes would be advantageous.

Why Apply?

• Senior leadership role with full technical responsibility for an established food manufacturing site.


• High level of autonomy and visibility within the business.


• Diverse product portfolio supplying major UK retail customers.

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