Senior Technical Manager

Cranswick plc; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional leave

Canteen

Company car

Company events

Company pension

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted or free food

Employee stock ownership plan

Employee stock purchase plan

Enhanced maternity leave

Enhanced paternity leave

Free parking

On-site parking

Referral programme

Sick pay

Job summary

Cranswick plc is seeking a Senior Technical Manager to join the Senior Leadership Team, mainly based at our Sherburn site. This high-impact role leads Technical and Hygiene across two sites, driving food safety, quality excellence, customer confidence, and continuous improvement across the business.

You will shape technical strategy, lead audits and risk assessments, mentor the technical team, and collaborate with Production, Planning, HR, and Hygiene.

Qualifications

• Advanced Food Safety (Level 4) required.
• Advanced HACCP knowledge.
• Level 3 or 4 Health & Safety (IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent).
• Food-related degree (or equivalent industry experience).
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar technical leadership role.
• Strong audit and compliance background.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Technical and Hygiene functions across site operations.
• Ensure compliance with all legislative, customer, audit, and brand standards.
• Drive a strong food safety, quality, and health & safety culture.
• Oversee internal and third-party audits.
• Lead risk assessments, hazard reporting, and accident investigations.
• Analyse KPIs and technical data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Partner with Production, NPD, Planning, Engineering, HR, and Hygiene teams.
• Represent the business in customer and external technical interactions.
• Develop and mentor the technical team, ensuring capability and succession planning.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Cross-functional collaboration

Audits & compliance

Education

Food-related degree

IOSH Managing Safely / Health & Safety qual.

Job description

Cranswick is a leading British food producer committed to quality and authenticity. Founded in 1975 with the simple mantra "Good in equals good out," the company has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the largest food producers in the UK, dedicated to creating genuinely made British food without compromise.

Summary

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Technical Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team on a Monday to Friday basis. This is a high-impact role with responsibility for leading the Technical and Hygiene functions across two sites, while being primarily based at our main location in Sherburn LS25.

This is more than a compliance role it is a strategic leadership position focused on driving food safety, quality excellence, customer confidence, and continuous improvement across the business.

About You

• We are looking for a confident and credible senior leader who:
• Has extensive technical leadership experience within food manufacturing
• Has operated at senior or site technical management level
• Demonstrates strong people management and influencing skills
• Is commercially aware and comfortable working within a fast-paced environment
• Can coach, challenge, and inspire teams
• Thrives on continuous improvement and raising standards

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Site Director, you will:

• Lead the Technical and Hygiene functions across site operations
• Ensure compliance with all legislative, customer, audit, and brand standards
• Drive a strong food safety, quality, and health & safety culture
• Oversee internal and third-party audits
• Lead risk assessments, hazard reporting, and accident investigations
• Analyse KPIs and technical data to identify improvement opportunities
• Partner with Production, NPD, Planning, Engineering, HR, and Hygiene teams
• Represent the business in customer and external technical interactions
• Develop and mentor the technical team, ensuring capability and succession planning

Qualifications

• Advanced Food Safety (Level 4)
• Advanced HACCP
• Level 3 or 4 Health & Safety (e.g. IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent)
• Food-related degree (or equivalent industry experience)
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar technical leadership role
• Strong audit and compliance background

This is a Senior Leadership Team role offering real influence across site operations. You will play a critical role in shaping technical strategy, strengthening culture, and ensuring the highest standards of food safety and compliance. If you are an experienced technical leader ready to take the next step in a senior multi-site capacity, we would welcome your application.

Job Types:

Full-time, Permanent

• Additional leave
• Canteen
• Company car
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Employee stock ownership plan
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay