Technical Manager

J. PAO & CO. LIMITED; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

JPao & Company Ltd, a leading UK food manufacturer based in Dunstable, seeks an experienced Technical Manager to own the technical and quality function. You will maintain and improve the Food Safety and Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with BRCGS standards, customer requirements and regulatory legislation.

You will lead HACCP, audits, CAPAs and supplier programmes while driving continuous improvement across the site.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Standards and customer requirements
• Strong HACCP understanding and food safety legislation
• Experience managing audits, investigations and corrective actions
• Experience leading technical/quality teams and continuous improvement projects
• Familiarity with supplier approval and monitoring programmes

Responsibilities

• Maintain and continuously improve the site's Food Safety and Quality Management System
• Lead HACCP and Food Safety Team meetings and ensure proper implementation of controls
• Manage internal audits, traceability exercises and verification activities
• Prepare and lead external audits including BRCGS and customer inspections
• Ensure records meet legal and customer requirements and respond to enquiries
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions and support process improvements

Skills

Food safety

HACCP

Microbiology

Team leadership

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree in Food Science

Microbiology

Job description

JPao & Company Ltd is a leading UK food manufacturer specialising in growing, packing and delivering premium quality beansprouts to customers across the UK, indirect retail, catering and food processing sectors.

Operating from our modern, purpose-built manufacturing facility in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, we have achieved BRCGS Grade A+ accreditation and are entering an exciting phase of growth.

We are looking for a proactive, experienced and hands on Technical Manager to take ownership of our technical and quality function. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will be responsible for maintaining and improving our food safety, quality and technical systems, ensuring the business consistently meets regulatory, certification and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Food Safety & Quality Management

• Maintain and continuously improve the site's Food Safety and Quality Management System.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS Food Safety Standards and customer-specific requirements.
• Lead HACCP and Food Safety Team meetings and ensure effective implementation of control measures.
• Manage internal audits, traceability exercises, and verification activities.
• Lead investigations into quality complaints, non-conformances, and product incidents, implementing corrective and preventative actions.
• Ensure all employees receive appropriate food safety, quality, and compliance training.
• Promote a culture of food safety, quality, and continuous improvement across the business.

Compliance & Audit Management

• Prepare and lead external audits including BRCGS, customer, retailer, ethical, and regulatory inspections.
• Ensure compliance with UK food legislation, health and safety requirements, and industry best practice.
• Manage supplier approval and monitoring programmes.
• Oversee environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, and product testing programmes.
• Ensure all records are maintained in accordance with legal and customer requirements.
• Respond to customer enquiries, complaints, and requests relating to food safety and quality.
• Review supplier performance and work collaboratively to improve standards.
• Analyse quality trends, customer complaints, audit findings, and KPI data.
• Develop and implement improvement projects to reduce waste, improve compliance, and enhance product quality.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective action processes.
• Support process improvement initiatives from a technical perspective.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or related discipline.
• Strong understanding of microbiology
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Technical or Quality Management role within food manufacturing or fresh produce.
• Strong understanding of HACCP principles and food safety legislation.
• Experience managing teams and driving continuous improvement activities.