Technical Manager

Avara Foods; Brackley; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A key player in food production is seeking an experienced Technical Manager in Brackley to lead their technical function and ensure food safety compliance. The role includes setting objectives, developing teams, and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will possess a food-related degree and a strong technical background, coupled with 3-5 years in a similar position. This opportunity offers comprehensive training, development, and perks such as private medical cover and holiday entitlement.

Benefits

33 Days Holiday

6% Matched Pension

Private Medical Cover

Life Insurance

Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme

Employee wellbeing perks

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience at Technical Manager level in food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP (Level 3 minimum) and BRC.
• Leadership skills with experience in team development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the technical function on site.
• Ensure legal compliance and food safety.
• Set objectives and KPIs for Technical teams.

Skills

Technical knowledge in food safety

Team management

HACCP knowledge

Proactive communication

Education

Food related degree or higher qualification

Job description

About the Role: Technical Manager

Are you an experienced and competent technical manager within the food industry? Are you driven by high standards and leading results?

We are recruiting for an experienced and qualified Technical Manager to support and play a key role at our advanced pack and primary processing site in Hereford.

We are a diverse, forward-thinking business, so we are looking for someone who can think outside of the box, has a proven ability to build effective relationships with internal and external contacts and encompasses a natural inquisitive nature.

Purpose of the role

As Technical Manager you will lead and develop the technical function on site, ensure legal compliance, food safety and adherence to customer specifications.

You will be an active member of both the site senior management team and the group technical team and champion the Avara Foods Quality proposition.

You will maintain certification and accreditation with all relevant licensing bodies and retailers to ensure continuity of supply by leading on site audits and through a process of continuous improvement.

Operating Environment

This role will be both factory and office based, with regular requirement to go into the factory environment, which is noisy and refrigerated in some areas. This is an on‑site operational role, but we are happy to discuss at interview possible flexibility required.

What will I be responsible for as Technical Manager?

• Setting objectives and measurable KPI’s for the Technical teams in line with the business objectives, to continually improve site standards and GMP
• Ensuring the team development is in line with talent needs defined by the business and overall Technical function
• Ensuring that the Technical team are effectively trained, coached and developed to be competent within their roles
• Being an active leader within the site Senior Management Team, supporting the delivery of the site objectives, budget and continuous improvement
• Ensuring compliance with all legislation relating to the welfare of life animals during their catching, collecting and slaughter
• Maintaining and improving the Quality Management System to ensure Food Safety, Legal Compliance ad adherence to Customer Specifications and Policies
• Supporting the delivery of the Avara Quality proposition and Food Safety culture
• Providing Operations with Technical monitoring and auditing to ensure that customer requirements are understood and achieved
• Reviewing the frequency of non‑conformances to identify longer term corrective action plans
• Reviewing specifications for all products, packaging and ingredients and ensuring that all versions are correct and meet customer specifications
• Coordinating the investigation of customer complaints of a technical nature and ensuring any findings and action plans are completed and communicated both internally and externally
• Ensuring procedures are in place to satisfy any environmental legislation and that requirements are understood by the site Senior Management Team
• Building effective relationships with internal and external customers during site visits
• Ensuring external service providers are effectively managed i.e. hygiene pest control, laundry and laboratories

What are we looking for as a Technical Manager?

Essential

• Experience in working in a food manufacturing environment or fast paced organisation at Technical Manager level
• Knowledge of HACCP (Level 3 minimum), BRC and other food safety management systems
• The successful candidate will have strong Technical knowledge and a minimum of 3-5 years managing a team
• Food related degree or higher level qualification and committed to professional development
• Leadership skills and experience developing and engaging teams
• Proactive champion for food safety and quality
• It is of importance that you can manage your workload, be proactive and enjoy achieving results both personally but also for the benefit of the site team and the business
• Your style will fit well with the company if you are used to being flexible, are able to prioritise, communicate effectively and can develop relationships

Desirable

• Experience within poultry industry or dealing with live animals / welfare legislation
• Advanced HACCP / Food Hygiene Level 3
• Lead assessor auditor qualification
• Knowledge and experience of environmental matters
• Knowledge and experience of major retailers or food service customers

What’s in it for you?

We offer comprehensive training as well as development and career progression opportunities. As Technical Manager, you can also look forward to benefits that amongst other things include the following :

• 33 Days Holiday
• 6% Matched Pension
• Private Medical Cover for Self and Partner / Child
• Life Insurance for self
• Access to salary sacrifice car scheme
• Variety of Wellbeing and Employee perks such as unlimited remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, financial support