Technical Manager

D R Newitt Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

D R Newitt Recruitment is partnering with a leading Kent food producer to recruit an experienced Technical Manager for a new site. The role will own the Technical, Quality and Food Safety functions, ensuring product integrity, compliance and customer satisfaction.

You will drive continuous improvement, embed a strong food safety culture, lead audits, and collaborate across teams to enhance technical processes and supplier governance.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a Technical or Quality role within food manufacturing or fresh produce.
• Strong knowledge of food safety legislation, HACCP, BRCGS and major retailer standards.
• HACCP Level 3 qualification, with Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor training.
• Experience leading technical teams and influencing stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, organisational and analytical skills.
• Proactive, hands-on leader capable of driving improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead, maintain and develop Food Safety, Quality and Product Integrity Management Systems.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS, retailer standards, legal requirements and codes of practice.
• Lead audits and close-out actions with internal, external and customer teams.
• Manage HACCP, TACCP and internal audit programmes.
• Build relationships with customer technical teams and manage visits.
• Oversee testing schedules, supplier due diligence and document control.
• Manage customer complaints and corrective actions.
• Support product traceability, withdrawals and recalls.
• Drive continuous improvement and a quality-led culture at the site.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

HACCP Level 3

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Technical Manager to join a leading food producer in Kent, playing a key role in the development and success of a major new site.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of the site's Technical, Quality and Food Safety functions, ensuring the highest standards of product integrity, legal compliance and customer satisfaction. You will work closely with teams across the business to drive continuous improvement, strengthen technical processes and embed a positive food safety and quality culture.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead, maintain and develop Food Safety, Quality and Product Integrity Management Systems.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS, retailer technical standards, legal requirements and customer codes of practice.
• Lead and coordinate internal, external and customer audits, ensuring successful outcomes and timely close-out of actions.
• Manage HACCP, TACCP and internal audit programmes, promoting food safety awareness across all departments.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customer technical teams, managing visits, audits and day-to-day technical requirements.
• Oversee microbiological and pesticide testing schedules, supplier due diligence and document control.
• Manage customer complaints, service levels, product rejections and root cause analysis, implementing effective corrective actions.
• Support product traceability, withdrawals and recalls where required.
• Drive continuous improvement, technical performance and a strong quality-led culture throughout the site.

What we’re looking for:

• Significant experience in a Technical or Quality role within the food manufacturing or fresh produce industry.
• Strong knowledge of food safety legislation, HACCP, BRCGS and major retailer standards.
• HACCP Level 3 qualification, alongside Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor training.
• Proven experience managing technical teams and influencing stakeholders across a business.
• Excellent communication, organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with the confidence to lead, challenge and drive improvements.

Experience within fruit commodities, packaging artwork approval or sustainability would be advantageous.

The opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established and respected food business at an exciting stage of development. You will have the autonomy to shape technical standards, influence operational performance and help establish a first-class food safety and quality culture at a leading new site in Kent.