Head of Technical (Hybrid)

MorePeople; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

MorePeople is recruiting for Head of Technical to lead the strategy and execution of technical functions in a growing food business. This senior role drives product safety, quality, legality and responsible sourcing across the organisation.

You will shape the technical roadmap, build a high-performing team, and partner with procurement, operations and development teams to enable new product categories while maintaining robust governance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Senior technical leadership experience in the food industry.
• Strong knowledge of UK food legislation, food safety standards and certification requirements.
• Proven ability to manage supplier relationships and drive improvements across multiple product categories.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the technical strategy aligned to business growth.
• Lead and develop the Technical team with a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure food safety, quality, legality and technical governance across the business.
• Manage supplier approvals, audits, due diligence and performance reviews.
• Collaborate with suppliers, co-packers and partners to maintain standards throughout the supply chain.
• Lead internal/external audits and ensure compliance with industry standards and certifications.
• Oversee quality management systems, document control and risk assessments.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

HACCP

Audits

Supplier management

Quality systems

Stakeholder management

Product development

Education

Food Science degree

Tools

GxP systems

Job description

Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Technical to join an innovative and purpose-driven food business that is continuing to grow and diversify its product offering. As Head of Technical, you will play a key role in shaping the technical strategy, ensuring food safety, quality, legality, and responsible sourcing remain at the heart of the operation.

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you'll provide both strategic direction and hands-on leadership across the technical function. Working closely with procurement, supply chain, operations, product development, and customer-facing teams, you'll ensure robust technical standards are maintained while supporting the business as it expands into new categories and channels.

Operating in a hybrid capacity, you'll split your time between home and office locations as required. Candidates do not need to be based in Worcestershire, and applications are welcomed from those located within reasonable travelling distance of either the Midlands or London.

This is a highly visible role where you'll have the opportunity to influence business-wide decision making, drive continuous improvement, strengthen supplier partnerships, and build the technical foundations required to support future growth.

What you’ll be doing

As Head of Technical, your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering the technical strategy, ensuring it aligns with the wider business objectives and future growth plans
• Leading and developing the Technical team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Providing overall leadership for food safety, quality, legality, compliance, and technical governance across the business
• Establishing and maintaining robust technical processes to support new product categories and product launches
• Managing supplier approval programmes, technical audits, due diligence processes, and ongoing supplier performance reviews
• Working closely with suppliers, co-packers, and third-party partners to ensure standards are maintained throughout the supply chain
• Leading internal and external audit programmes and ensuring compliance with relevant industry standards and certification requirements
• Overseeing quality management systems, document control procedures, and risk assessment processes
• Managing traceability systems and ensuring effective product withdrawal and recall procedures are in place
• Analysing quality and performance data to identify trends, address issues, and drive improvements across the product range
• Supporting responsible sourcing, sustainability, packaging, and ethical compliance initiatives across the business
• Acting as the senior technical expert, providing guidance and support to stakeholders across multiple departments
• Ensuring customer expectations, legal requirements, and food safety standards are consistently achieved
• Collaborating with commercial and operational teams to ensure technical considerations are embedded within business decisions
• Driving a culture where food safety, product quality, compliance, and continuous improvement remain at the forefront of the business

What we’re looking for

We're looking for an experienced technical professional who combines strong leadership skills with excellent technical expertise across food production, supply chains, and quality systems. You'll be comfortable operating strategically while remaining hands-on when required, with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the business.

The successful candidate will have significant experience within a senior technical leadership role and a proven track record of developing technical systems, managing supplier relationships, and driving continuous improvement within a fast-paced food environment.

Ideally, you’ll have:

• Previous experience in a Head of Technical, Senior Technical Manager, or equivalent leadership role within the food industry
• Strong knowledge of UK food legislation, food safety standards, and industry certification requirements
• Experience managing technical compliance across multiple product categories, particularly fresh produce
• A strong understanding of quality management systems, risk management, traceability, and food safety controls
• Experience leading supplier approval programmes, audits, and technical performance reviewsProven experience managing customer, third-party, and certification audits
• Strong knowledge of HACCP principles and food safety management systems
• Experience supporting new product development and bringing new products or categories to market
• The ability to interpret technical data and translate findings into practical business improvements
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence both internal and external partners
• Experience developing and leading high-performing technical teams
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to balance commercial objectives with technical compliance requirements
• A qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline
• Comfortable working within a hybrid environment, with the ability to travel to business locations as required
• The ability to travel to either the Midlands or London for meetings and collaboration when necessary

What’s in it for you?

• The opportunity to shape and lead the technical strategy of a growing and evolving food business
• A highly influential position with significant exposure to senior leadership
• The chance to play a key role in supporting business growth and category expansion
• A collaborative environment where innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged
• The opportunity to make a genuine impact across food safety, quality, sustainability, and customer experience