Technical Compliance Manager

John Lewis plc; Bracknell; Hybrid; GBP 63,600 - 95,300; Full time

Job summary

John Lewis Partnership in Bracknell is seeking a Technical Compliance Manager to lead Waitrose Quality & Regulatory’s technical audits, KPI management and training budgets. You will own internal and external audits and oversee the specification management programme across Own Brand.

The role requires a degree in food science or equivalent HACCP training, with demonstrable experience in technical management and supplier development. Hybrid working with travel to suppliers as needed.

Qualifications

• Degree in food science or HACCP training.
• Demonstrable technical management experience in the food or non-food industry.
• Supplier management and technical development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management programme for supplier performance to ensure safety, legality and quality.
• Manage the Waitrose audit programme using third party solutions.
• Drive technical compliance, analyse trends and manage KPIs.
• Conduct supplier approval audits and onboarding in line with standards.
• Develop and implement technical, legal and brand policies and standards.
• Lead the Operational Governance meeting monthly for updates across Own Brand Technical.
• Support and coach partners using Partnership Values to deliver Waitrose Technical Strategy.
• Assist the team with challenges in the supply base and support underperforming suppliers.
• Manage internal audits to ensure technical compliance.

Skills

Degree in food science

Lead Assessor training desirable

Supplier management

Education

Degree in food science or HACCP training

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Waitrose Quality & Regulatory and Technical team as a Technical Compliance Manager. A key part of this role will be technical management of the Waitrose audit management programme and specification management programme. The successful candidate will be the business owner for internal and external KPI management and lead for technical training programme and budget management. You will also lead external and internal audits across Own Brand.

At a Glance

Salary - £63,600-£95,300 Contract type - This is a Permanent contract. Working pattern/flexible working - 35 hours per week. The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. Location - Bracknell Head Office with an expectation to travel to suppliers as required and 3 days in the office, however flexibility will be required. Interviews for this role will be held in person at our Bracknell head office, likely 19th/20th August.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the management programme for supplier performance in order to ensure safety, legality and quality is delivered in line with Waitrose Technical and relevant brand standards.
• Manage the Waitrose audit programme utilising third party solutions.
• Drive technical compliance, assess trends and manage key performance indicators.
• Ability to conduct supplier approval audits, onboarding new suppliers in line with Waitrose Technical standards.
• Development and implementation of appropriate technical, legal and brand strategies, policies and standards.
• Leading the Operational Governance meeting held monthly to ensure business updates are shared amongst Own Brand Technical.
• Leading a partner using Partnership Values to develop their potential and deliver the Waitrose Technical Strategy.
• Responding to challenges within the supply base and supporting technical teams on underperforming suppliers.
• Manage internal audits to ensure technical compliance.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Degree in food science or similar HACCP training, Lead Assessor Specialist training desirable e.g allergens, microbiology, pesticide management, specification management and product labelling legal requirements.
• Demonstrable technical management experience within the food or non food industry.
• Supplier management and technical development.

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Food and non food auditor
• Strong commercial understanding
• Ability to train technical team

Closing Date: August 10, 2026

Pay: £63,600.00 - £95,300.00 Annual Contract Type: Permanent Hours of Work: 35 hours per week, Mon-Fri Job Level: Partnership Level 6 Where You'll Be Working: Bracknell Campus, Doncastle Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YA

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose. As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible.

At the John Lewis Partnership we’re not just employees; we’re co-owners, and that’s why we’re called Partners. Being a Partner means not only do we all collectively share the responsibilities of being the UK’s largest employee-owned business, but we also share in its rewards and successes. It’s this ownership model that makes the Partnership a very unique place to work.