Technical Manager

Smart4 Sciences; Chester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus scheme

10% employer pension contribution

Private healthcare

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Occupational sick pay scheme

Ongoing professional development

Job summary

Smart4Sciences is recruiting a Senior Technical Manager for our Cheshire facility to oversee all technical activities, including product development, quality, regulatory compliance and strategic direction. The role reports to the CEO and requires driving innovation and customer-focused solutions.

You will lead a small technical team, collaborate with customers and suppliers, and play a key part in shaping the company’s technical strategy while ensuring compliance across portfolios.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry, MSc or PhD highly desirable.
• 10+ years' experience in chemical industry, manufacturing or formulation.
• 5+ years' experience leading technical teams.
• Proven technical management experience in chemical manufacturing.
• Strong background in product formulation, R&D and new product introduction.
• Experience with quality control, regulatory compliance and product stewardship.
• Experience working with customers and suppliers, including problem solving.
• Knowledge of HACCP/food safety advantageous.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Experience providing technical leadership to manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical function across product development, quality, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
• Drive formulation, development and commercialization of new specialty chemical products.
• Manage and develop a small technical team covering quality control, product development and quality management functions.
• Act as the primary technical contact for customers, supporting technical inquiries, complaint investigations and product-related issues.
• Work closely with commercial teams to understand customer requirements and develop innovative solutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with raw material suppliers and external technical partners.
• Provide technical leadership and support to manufacturing operations.
• Ensure products meet quality, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Oversee food safety and quality systems where applicable.
• Support process improvement, validation and operational excellence initiatives.
• Monitor regulatory developments and ensure ongoing compliance across product portfolios.
• Contribute to business strategy and decision-making as a member of the senior leadership team.

Job description

Location: Cheshire

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Salary: £60,000-£70,000 DOE

The Opportunity

Smart4Sciences are working with a growing speciality chemical manufacturer to recruit a Technical Manager for their Cheshire facility.

This is an exciting senior leadership opportunity for an experienced chemist and technical leader to take responsibility for all technical aspects of the business, including product development, formulation, quality, regulatory compliance and technical strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will play a key role in driving innovation, developing customer-focused solutions and supporting the continued growth of the organisation.

The successful candidate will work closely with customers, suppliers, manufacturing and commercial teams, whilst leading a small technical team covering quality control, product development and quality/food safety activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical function across product development, quality, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement activities.
• Drive the formulation, development and commercialisation of new speciality chemical products.
• Manage and develop a small technical team covering quality control, product development and quality management functions.
• Act as the primary technical contact for customers, supporting technical enquiries, complaint investigations and product-related issues.
• Work closely with commercial teams to understand customer requirements and develop innovative solutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with raw material suppliers and external technical partners.
• Provide technical leadership and support to manufacturing operations.
• Ensure products meet quality, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Oversee food safety and quality systems where applicable.
• Support process improvement, validation and operational excellence initiatives.
• Monitor regulatory developments and ensure ongoing compliance across product portfolios.
• Contribute to business strategy and decision-making as a member of the senior leadership team.

Skills & Experience Required

• Degree qualified in Chemistry, with MSc or PhD highly desirable.
• 10+ years' experience within the chemical industry, ideally within manufacturing or formulation environments.
• 5+ years' experience leading technical teams and managing people.
• Proven technical management experience within a chemical manufacturing business.
• Strong background in product formulation, research & development and new product introduction.
• Experience supporting quality control, regulatory compliance and product stewardship activities.
• Experience working directly with customers and suppliers, including technical problem solving and complaint resolution.
• Knowledge of HACCP and food safety systems would be advantageous.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Experience providing technical leadership to manufacturing operations.
• Knowledge of process improvement and validation activities.
• Understanding of UK, EU and international chemical regulations.
• Strong commercial awareness and stakeholder management capability.
• Willingness to travel internationally when required.

Experience within speciality chemicals, emulsions, additives, coatings, lubricants, foam control technologies or related chemical sectors would be highly advantageous.

What's On Offer

• £60,000-£70,000 basic salary depending on experience.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• 10% employer pension contribution with no employee contribution requirement.
• Private healthcare.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Occupational sick pay scheme.
• Ongoing professional and personal development opportunities.
• Opportunity to influence technical strategy, product innovation and future business growth.