Site Head of Technical

The Compleat Food Group; Bletchley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Milton Keynes seeks an experienced Site Head of Technical. This senior leadership role involves leading the technical strategy and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. The ideal candidate has a strong background in food manufacturing, excellent leadership skills, and experience with major UK retailers. Competitive salary and numerous benefits offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Car allowance

Bonus

33 days annual leave

Employee discounts

Well-being support

Training opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior technical or quality leadership role within food manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of UK food safety regulations, BRC, HACCP, and retailer standards.
• Confident leader with excellent management, coaching, and development skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all site technical activities to deliver safe and high-quality products.
• Manage and develop a high-performing technical team.
• Act as the key point of contact for customer technical relationships and audits.

Skills

Leadership

Food Safety Regulations

People Management

Continuous Improvement

Education

Degree in a food-related discipline

Food Safety and HACCP Level 3

Job description

Overview

We’re looking for an experienced Site Head of Technical to lead the technical and quality agenda at our Milton Keynes site – part of The Compleat Food Group. In this senior leadership role, you’ll be responsible for delivering the technical strategy, driving standards in food safety and quality, and ensuring full compliance with customer and regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities

• Lead all site technical activities to deliver safe, legal, and high-quality products
• Manage and develop a high-performing technical team
• Act as the key point of contact for customer technical relationships, visits, and audits
• Drive compliance with food safety legislation, customer COPs, and BRC standards
• Support NPD from a technical perspective and champion continuous improvement
• Work cross-functionally with site leadership and group colleagues to deliver aligned business goals
• Use data and KPIs to manage site performance and identify improvement opportunities
• Maintain strong site audit results and implement the group technical strategy locally

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior technical or quality leadership role within food manufacturing (ideally chilled)
• Strong understanding of UK food safety regulations, BRC, HACCP, TACCP, and major retailer standards
• A confident leader with excellent people management, coaching, and development skills
• Experience working with major UK retailers (e.g., M&S, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's)
• Degree-qualified in a food-related discipline, with Food Safety and HACCP Level 3
• Lead auditor trained with a commercial and continuous improvement mindset
• A collaborative approach, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence across all levels

Benefits

• Competitive salary, car allowance, and bonus
• Clear progression opportunities within The Compleat Food Group
• 33 days annual leave
• 2 employee volunteering days per year
• Online and high-street retailer discount scheme
• Employee well-being and community support groups
• Formal and informal training opportunities with a personalised online LMS platform
• Charity initiatives and team events
• 24/7 access to Grocery Aid (financial, emotional, and practical support)
• Physical well-being benefits – access to on-demand exercise hub and gym discounts
• Online well-being resources
• Financial well-being tools – mortgage calculators, budget tools

Why join us

Join The Compleat Food Group to help shape the future of food with a growing £1.1bn business, and a culture focused on collaboration, innovation, and high performance. Our brands include Wall’s Pastry, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, and Unearthed.