Supplier Technical Manager

Zest Recruitment; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest Recruitment is seeking a Supplier Technical Manager for a growing food business. You will own the technical relationship between suppliers, customers and the business, lead audits, and drive technical standards across operations.

Reporting to the Technical Director, you will manage supplier performance, attend first productions, maintain specifications, and coach the technical team to ensure compliance with BRCGS and retailer standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in supplier audits and improving supplier performance.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS and retailer technical standards.
• Experience communicating with customers and managing technical queries.

Responsibilities

• Own all technical aspects relating to suppliers and products.
• Manage day-to-day supplier relationships and ensure standards.
• Conduct supplier visits and audits, working with key customers.
• Attend first productions to verify specs meet requirements.
• Maintain product specifications and up-to-date documentation.
• Lead day-to-day technical relationships with suppliers and customers; support site audits including BRC.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS and retailer standards.
• Identify improvement areas across suppliers and drive corrective actions.
• Mentor and lead the wider technical team with direction and expertise.
• Collaborate with Technical Director to raise technical standards.

Skills

Auditing

Supplier management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Lead Auditor qualification

Job description

Role - Supplier Technical Manager

Location - We're working exclusively with a successful food business that is looking to strengthen its technical function with the appointment of a Supplier Technical Manager. Reporting directly to the Technical Director, you'll take ownership of the technical relationship between the business, its suppliers and customers, while playing a key role in maintaining and improving technical standards across the operation.

This is a hands‑on role suited to someone who enjoys being out with suppliers, leading audits, managing technical teams and being the go‑to person for all things technical.

The Role

As Supplier Technical Manager, you will be responsible for the technical performance of suppliers and products, ensuring the business consistently meets customer, retailer and legislative requirements.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of all technical aspects relating to suppliers and products
• Managing supplier relationships on a day-to-day basis, ensuring technical standards and requirements are consistently met
• Conducting supplier visits and supplier audits, including working alongside key customers
• Attending first productions with suppliers to ensure products are manufactured to the required specification and standards
• Maintaining and managing product specifications, ensuring all documentation is accurate, current and fully up to date
• Managing the day-to-day technical relationship with both suppliers and customersLeading and supporting site audits, including BRC audits
• Ensuring compliance with BRCGS and retailer-specific technical standards
• Identifying areas for improvement across the supplier base and driving corrective actions through to completion
• Managing and supporting the wider technical team, providing direction, coaching and technical expertise
• Working closely with the Technical Director and wider business to maintain and continually improve technical standards

Requirements:

• Proven experience within a Supplier Technical Manager, Technical Manager, Supplier Auditor or similar role
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS and major retailer technical standards
• Previous experience conducting supplier audits
• A recognised Lead Auditor qualification
• Experience managing supplier technical performance and relationships
• Strong understanding of product specifications and technical documentationExperience working directly with customers and managing technical queries
• Previous experience leading or supporting BRC/site audits
• Experience managing, mentoring or leading members of a technical team
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• The confidence to operate at both a strategic and hands‑on level

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