Technical Controller

Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group); Bourne; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Bonus up to 20%

Private medical

Pension contributions

Life insurance

Employee discount platform

Wellbeing platform access

Enhanced parental leave

Menopause policies

Job summary

Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group) Bourne is seeking a Technical Controller to lead the site technical function, ensuring compliance with food safety, quality standards and customer requirements. You will drive audits, collaborate with Operations, Engineering and Supply Chain, and oversee QMS implementation.

The role offers a competitive salary with up to 20% bonus, a £7,000 car allowance and private healthcare. Site-based, Bourne, Lincolnshire.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior technical leadership experience in large, complex food manufacturing.
• Proven own‑label retail experience and strong understanding of retailer standards.
• Experience leading technical and business improvement projects with measurable KPI improvements.
• Experience developing and implementing internal audit programmes and maintaining robust food safety management systems.

Responsibilities

• Head the site technical function and lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure manufacturing units operate within technical and hygiene process standards.
• Provide leadership and direction to promote engagement and development of colleagues.
• Contribute to the site leadership team to integrate quality systems with the operational model.
• Interface with customers on joint business planning and deliver customer service excellence.
• Ensure technical governance to achieve audit compliance with internal, external, legal and customer requirements.
• Create and deliver an integrated business plan to link technical and hygiene processes with business objectives.
• Identify and promote technical business improvement practices for compliance and competitive advantage.
• Devise and implement a Quality Management System (QMS) to supply management information for audits and executive decisions.
• Ensure the technical team has the capability to meet food safety and quality compliance.
• Maintain a safe working environment and meet standards set out in the Health, Safety and Environment Policy.

Skills

Leadership

Customer audits

Problem solving

Continuous improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Level 4 HACCP or equivalent

Tools

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Job description

Technical Controller (Business Technical Manager)

Location: Bourne, Lincolnshire – Site based working. Salary: Competitive with up to 20% bonus p/a, £7,000 car allowance, private healthcare.

Job Overview

This role is based at the Bourne site, specialising in fruit, leafy and dressed salads, noodles and stir‑fly mixes, supporting a workforce of over 1,300. You will lead the site technical function, ensuring manufacturing operates within required technical and hygiene standards and meets customer, business and legal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Head the site technical function and lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure manufacturing units operate within technical and hygiene process standards.
• Provide leadership and direction to promote engagement and development of colleagues.
• Contribute to the site leadership team to integrate quality systems with the operational model.
• Interface with customers on joint business planning and deliver customer service excellence.
• Ensure technical governance to achieve audit compliance with internal, external, legal and customer requirements.
• Create and deliver an integrated business plan to link technical and hygiene processes with business objectives.
• Identify and promote technical business improvement practices for compliance and competitive advantage.
• Devise and implement a Quality Management System (QMS) to supply management information for audits and executive decisions.
• Ensure the technical team has the capability to meet food safety and quality compliance.
• Maintain a safe working environment and meet standards set out in the Health, Safety and Environment Policy.

Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive experience in chilled food manufacturing.
• Senior technical leadership experience within large, complex food manufacturing businesses.
• Proven own‑label retail experience and strong understanding of retailer standards.
• Excellent customer relationship management skills, including leading customer audits.
• Strong leadership and people development skills.
• Collaborative experience with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain and cross‑functional teams.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills focused on continuous improvement.
• Proven experience leading technical and business improvement projects with measurable KPI improvements.
• Experience developing and implementing internal audit programmes and maintaining robust food safety and quality management systems.
• Sound knowledge of UK food legislation, BRCGS standards and food safety compliance.
• Level 4 HACCP or equivalent.
• Degree in Food Science or a related discipline (desirable).

Benefits

• Competitive salary and job‑related benefits.
• £7,000 car allowance per annum.
• Up to 20% bonus per annum (based on company performance).
• Private medical for employee and spouse.
• Competitive matched pension contributions.
• Life insurance up to 4× salary.
• Company share save scheme.
• Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform.
• Access to a full wellbeing centre platform.
• Enhanced parental leave and menopause policies.