Senior Technical Manager

Vickerstock; Dungannon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance (including >

22 days annual leave + 9 statutory

Annual Leave Purchase Scheme

Company Pension Scheme

Enhanced parental leave pay

On-site parking

On-site EV charging points

Career progression

Job summary

Vickerstock, in partnership with a leading food manufacturing business, seeks an experienced Senior Technical Manager to lead and develop the technical function at the Dungannon site, ensuring product safety, quality, legality and compliance.

You will drive continuous improvement, build a strong quality culture, manage the Technical Team, maintain the QMS to meet BRCGS and retailer requirements, and support customer audits.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Technology or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' management experience in technical/quality/food manufacturing.
• Proven experience managing and maintaining BRCGS accreditation.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance and auditing frameworks.
• HACCP Level 4 qualification.
• Experience leading and developing teams.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office and business systems.
• Experience managing audits and working with regulatory authorities.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven leadership and people management capability.
• Highly organised with ability to manage competing priorities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work on your own initiative.
• Results-focused with a proactive approach to continuous improvement.
• Flexibility to work additional hours when required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Technical Team.
• Maintain the QMS and audit programme to meet BRCGS and major retailer requirements.
• Develop and maintain HACCP plans in line with legislation and industry standards.
• Progress the company's technical strategy and CI programme.
• Develop a strong quality culture across the business.
• Support customer audits and technical queries.
• Liaise with DAERA to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
• Report to the management team on product safety, legality, quality and process controls.
• Ensure critical product safety and quality controls are maintained.
• Train and supervise operatives on quality systems and procedures.
• Maintain knowledge of UK and EU legislation relating to pet food safety and labelling.
• Support export and import certification requirements.
• Implement new systems and processes to support continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Auditing

Problem solving

Regulatory knowledge

Quality systems

Communication

IT skills

Education

Degree in Food Technology or related

Tools

Microsoft Office

Business systems

Job description

Vickerstock are working in partnership with a leading food manufacturing business seeking to appoint an experienced Senior Technical Manager to lead and develop the technical function across the business for their Dungannon based site.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced technical professional to take a key leadership role within a growing and innovative manufacturing business, ensuring the highest standards of product safety, quality, legality and compliance while driving continuous improvement and developing a strong quality culture.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive Salary
• Private Medical Insurance, including cover for partners and dependants
• 22 days annual leave plus 9 statutory closure days
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme
• Additional annual leave based on length of service
• Company Pension Scheme
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay
• IVF Leave Pay
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Staff discounts on pet food products
• On-site electric vehicle charging points
• Free on-site parking
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Career progression

The Role

You will lead and develop the technical function, ensuring products meet internal, customer, regulatory and food safety requirements while driving continuous improvement across the business.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing and developing the Technical Team
• Maintaining the Quality Management System and audit programme to meet BRCGS and major retailer requirements
• Developing and maintaining HACCP plans in line with legislative and recognised industry standards
• Progressing the company's technical strategy and continuous improvement programme
• Developing a strong quality culture across the business
• Supporting customer audits and technical queries
• Liaising with DAERA to ensure compliance with statutory requirements
• Reporting to the management team on product safety, legality, quality and process controls
• Ensuring critical product safety and quality controls are effectively maintained
• Managing corrective actions where products or procedures deviate from required standardsTraining and supervising process operatives on quality systems and procedures
• Maintaining knowledge of UK and EU legislation relating to pet food safety and labelling
• Supporting export and import certification requirements
• Implementing new systems and processes to support continuous improvement

What you'll need to succeed

• Degree in Food Technology, Food Science or a related discipline
• Minimum 5 years' management experience within a technical, quality or food manufacturing environment
• Proven experience managing and maintaining BRCGS accreditation
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance and auditing frameworks
• HACCP Level 4 qualification
• Experience leading and developing teams
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and business systems
• Experience managing audits and working with regulatory authorities
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proven leadership and people management capability
• Highly organiser with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Self-motivated with the ability to work on your own initiative
• Results-focused with a proactive approach to continuous improvement
• Flexibility to work additional hours when required

Desirable Criteria (it would be great if you have these but don't worry if you don't!)

• Intermediate Food Hygiene qualification
• Thermal Processing Certification
• Experience within the pet food, food manufacturing or related industry