Technical Manager

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Erith; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment is assisting a fast-growing food manufacturing business in Kent to appoint a Technical Manager. You will lead Quality and Food Safety, ensuring legality and compliance while driving continuous improvement across the site.

Your remit includes leading the HACCP team, managing audits (BRC, retailers, regulatory), KPI driven performance, and coaching a team of technical and quality professionals. Strong leadership and engagement with operations are essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified to HND level or above in Food Technology or a related discipline.
• Proven Technical Management experience within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety, quality systems and applicable legislation.
• Experience with major UK retailers and codes of practice.
• Track record of leading BRC, customer and regulatory audits.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven leadership of and development of teams.
• Hands-on approach with a passion for driving standards and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain Quality and Food Safety Management Systems across the site.
• Champion food safety, quality, legality, and compliance throughout manufacturing.
• Lead HACCP team and ensure control measures remain effective and up-to-date.
• Own audits with customers, regulators, and certification bodies including BRC.
• Drive site performance via KPI analysis, root-cause investigations and CI.
• Be the primary escalation point for technical, food safety and quality issues.
• Manage customer complaints and non-conformances with corrective actions.
• Develop and coach a high-performing technical and quality team.

Skills

HACCP

Food safety

Quality systems

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Audits

Continuous improvement

Retail audits

Education

HND or above in Food Technology or related discipline

Job description

Technical Manager

Location: Kent | Permanent Position

Lead Quality. Drive Excellence. Shape the Future.

Are you an experienced Technical Manager looking for an opportunity to make a genuine impact within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment?

We are seeking a passionate and proactive Technical Manager to join a successful and growing food business. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for ensuring the highest standards of food safety, quality, legality, and compliance while driving a culture of continuous improvement across the site.

Reporting directly to the Head of Technical, you'll be the technical lead on site, managing a dedicated team and acting as the key point of escalation for all technical matters. You'll play a crucial role in maintaining customer confidence, delivering audit excellence, and supporting operational success.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and maintain the site's Quality and Food Safety Management Systems.
• Champion food safety, quality, legality, and compliance throughout the manufacturing process.
• Lead the HACCP team and ensure robust control measures remain effective and up to date.
• Take ownership of customer, regulatory, and certification audits, including BRC and retailer visits.
• Drive site performance through KPI management, trend analysis, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Act as the primary escalation point for technical, food safety, and quality issues.
• Manage customer complaints, non-conformances, and out-of-specification investigations, ensuring effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Build strong relationships across Operations, Engineering, Hygiene, NPD, and external stakeholders.
• Develop, coach, and inspire a team of technical and quality professionals.
• Support the Head of Technical and provide leadership cover when required.
• Play a key role in crisis management, risk assessment, and food safety culture programmes.

About You

We're looking for a driven and knowledgeable technical professional who thrives in a challenging manufacturing environment.

You’ll ideally have:

• A qualification to HND level or above in Food Technology or a related discipline.
• Proven Technical Management experience within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety, quality systems, and food legislation.
• Experience working with major UK retailers and customer codes of practice.
• A successful track record of leading BRC, customer, and regulatory audits.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong leadership capability with experience managing and developing teams.
• A hands-on approach with a passion for driving standards and continuous improvement.

Experience within chilled food manufacturing or ready meals would be highly advantageous.

Why Apply?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a business where quality and innovation are at the heart of everything they do. You'll have the chance to influence site strategy, lead major improvement initiatives, and develop your career within a supportive and ambitious environment.