Head of Technical

Compleat Food Group; Tees Valley; 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 lead the technical operations at their Middlesbrough site. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership experience in food manufacturing, strong people management skills, and excellent knowledge of food safety standards. This role offers a competitive salary of £80,000 plus a £5,700 car allowance and a bonus scheme, along with opportunities for long-term progression in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

£5,700 car allowance

Bonus scheme

Opportunities for long-term progression

Qualifications

• Proven senior technical leadership experience in food manufacturing.
• Strong people management skills with a record of developing large technical teams.
• Excellent knowledge of HACCP legislation and retailer Codes of Practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the technical function to ensure food safety and quality.
• Own the site’s technical strategy and align it with group objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement through effective KPIs and audits.

Skills

Technical leadership in food manufacturing

People management

Food safety knowledge

Influencing skills

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

HACCP Level 3 certification

Food Safety Level 3 certification

Lead Auditor qualification

Job description

Head of Technical

Site Head of Technical – TCFG

Location: Middlesbrough

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £80,000 per annum + £5,700 car allowance + bonus

Reports to: Group Head of Quality & Compliance

About Us

At The Compleat Food Group (TCFG), we’re passionate about creating great-tasting food that people love. We bring together top talent, trusted brands, and a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality. We’re now seeking a dynamic Site Head of Technical to lead the technical function at our Middlesbrough site.

The Opportunity

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the site Technical function, ensuring outstanding food safety, quality, and compliance.
• Own the site’s 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.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• 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.

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.

Ready to Apply?

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.

Apply now and bring your technical leadership to TCFG.