Technical Manager

Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Protea Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Site Technical Lead for a major food manufacturing operation in Glasgow. This full‑time leadership role focuses on delivering world‑class food safety, quality, compliance, and continuous improvement across the site.

You will head the technical function, drive HACCP and BRC processes, manage audits and KPIs, lead cost‑saving initiatives, and build strong relationships with customers, regulators, and suppliers to ensure smooth product launches and ongoing

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or related discipline; equivalent experience accepted.
• Lead Auditor certified.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a senior technical role in food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of food legislation, industry standards, and quality systems.
• Experience with ERP systems and strong commercial awareness.
• Understanding of P&L and cost management.
• Proven ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical function to deliver food safety, quality, compliance, and innovation.
• Ensure compliance with quality manuals, legislation, and customer standards.
• Maintain HACCP systems and documented quality systems.
• Drive continuous improvement and promote a total quality culture.
• Oversee reporting, KPI generation, and performance analysis.
• Lead BRC accreditation and internal audits.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Support new product launches and route to launch.
• Build relationships with customers, suppliers and regulators.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Quality systems

Stakeholder engagement

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree in Food Science or related

Lead Auditor certified

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Site Technical Lead – Food Manufacturing (Glasgow)

Full‑time | Leadership Role | Competitive Salary + Benefits

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Technical Manager to join a leading food manufacturing site in Glasgow. This is a pivotal leadership position responsible for driving the site’s technical strategy, ensuring world‑class standards in food safety, quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.

As a key member of the site leadership team, you will lead and develop the technical function, ensuring robust systems, exceptional audit performance, and alignment with wider business goals. This role is ideal for a dynamic technical professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and is passionate about delivering excellence.

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Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical function to deliver outstanding performance across food safety, quality, compliance, and innovation.
• Ensure full compliance with the site quality manual, legislative requirements, and customer standards.
• Maintain and continually strengthen a robust HACCP system and documented quality systems.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, embedding a culture of quality and process innovation.
• Deliver key technical KPIs including:
• Zero technical withdrawals
• Complaint reduction to target levels
• Budget adherence and year‑on‑year cost improvements
• Completion of internal audit schedules
• Reduction of depot rejections
• Oversee technical reporting, KPI generation, and performance analysis.
• Lead the site’s BRC accreditation programme and internal auditing processes.
• Manage pest control systems and external contractors.
• Support new product launches, ensuring compliance with the Route to Launch process.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, regulators, and external bodies.
• Champion a “total quality culture” across the site, coaching teams and promoting best practice.
• Manage departmental budgets, forecasts, and cost‑saving initiatives.
• Standardise processes and drive the site toward world‑class manufacturing standards.
• Conduct root cause analysis and present findings to the senior leadership team.
• Stay up to date with industry developments through workshops, events, and external visits.

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Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Lead Auditor certified.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a senior technical role within food manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of food legislation, industry standards, and quality systems.
• Experience with ERP systems and strong commercial awareness.
• Understanding of P&L and cost management.
• Proven ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience in manufacturing operations is advantageous.

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What We’re Looking For

A confident, proactive leader who can balance strategic thinking with hands‑on technical expertise. Someone who thrives on improving standards, solving problems, and inspiring teams to deliver exceptional results.