Senior Technical Manager (Food Quality Assurance)

The People Co.; England; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Excellent bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

The People Co. is seeking an experienced Senior Technical Manager to lead the technical and compliance function across a broad food portfolio.

Based near the Buckinghamshire/Berkshire border, you will provide strategic and hands-on technical leadership, ensuring product safety, legality and quality while supporting supplier and retailer requirements. You will report to the senior leadership team and work closely with commercial, operations, customers and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science/Technology or related discipline or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in senior technical/quality/compliance leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of UK food legislation, food safety management and quality systems.
• Experience leading audits and managing accredited quality standards (ideally BRCGS).
• Expertise in supplier assurance, technical auditing and retailer requirements.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Commercial mindset balancing business needs with technical compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the technical function with guidance and performance management.
• Own supplier approval, supplier assurance and food safety risk management.
• Ensure compliance with UK food legislation, regulatory requirements and customer standards.
• Lead external audits, accreditation programmes and quality management system upkeep.
• Drive continuous improvement across food safety, quality and compliance activities.
• Manage complex product quality investigations and consumer complaints.
• Provide technical oversight of own-label and branded product development.
• Act as key technical contact for customers, retailers and suppliers.
• Collaborate with commercial/ops teams to support business objectives while maintaining standards.
• Monitor legislation and industry developments to mitigate risk and strengthen compliance.
• Support environmental and packaging compliance activities and sustainability reporting.

Skills

Technical leadership

Food safety

Supplier assurance

Audits & compliance

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Quality management

Communication

Team development

Commercial acumen

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology or related

Job description

Buckinghamshire (Hybrid working available)

Circa £80,000 + car/car allowance + excellent bonus and benefits package.

REF: PR/013348

The Company

Our client is a well-established and highly respected business operating within the premium food and FMCG sector. Supplying a diverse portfolio of branded and own-label products to major retail, foodservice and wholesale customers, they have built a reputation for quality, innovation and long-term partnerships. With continued growth and ambitious plans for the future, they are seeking an experienced Senior Technical Manager to lead their technical and compliance function. Based on the Buckinghamshire/Berkshire border, the business offers a collaborative culture, strong values and the opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing organisation.

As a Disability Confident Employer, our client is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Applications are welcomed from all suitably qualified candidates, and reasonable adjustments will be provided throughout the recruitment process where required.

The Role

Reporting into the senior leadership team, the Senior Technical Manager will take overall responsibility for product safety, legality, quality and authenticity across a broad food portfolio. Working closely with commercial, operations, customers and suppliers, you will provide technical leadership, ensure compliance with evolving legislation and industry standards, and support the ongoing development of products, systems and processes.

This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role, requiring a strong understanding of food safety, supplier assurance, retailer requirements and quality management within a fast-paced food environment.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and develop the technical function, providing guidance, support and performance management to direct reports.
• Own supplier approval, supplier assurance and food safety risk management processes.
• Ensure compliance with UK food legislation, regulatory requirements and customer standards.
• Lead external audits, accreditation programmes and quality management system maintenance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across food safety, quality and compliance activities.
• Manage complex product quality investigations, consumer complaints and corrective action programmes.
• Provide technical oversight of own-label and branded product development projects.
• Act as the key technical contact for customers, retailers and suppliers.
• Partner closely with commercial and operational teams to support business objectives while maintaining compliance standards.
• Monitor emerging legislation and industry developments, providing proactive recommendations to minimise risk and strengthen compliance.
• Support environmental and packaging compliance activities, including reporting obligations and sustainability initiatives.

Person Profile

We are seeking an experienced technical leader with a proven track record within food manufacturing, food import, distribution or the wider FMCG sector.

The successful candidate will possess:

• Degree qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Significant experience in a senior technical, quality or compliance leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of UK food legislation, food safety management and quality systems.
• Experience leading audits and managing accredited quality standards, ideally within BRCGS environments.
• Expertise in supplier assurance, technical auditing and retailer customer requirements.
• Strong understanding of product specifications, packaging compliance and complaint investigation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A commercially minded approach with the ability to balance business needs and technical compliance.
• Proven leadership capability with experience developing and motivating teams.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset and a passion for continuous improvement.