Technical Manager

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment is seeking an experienced Technical Manager in West London to own food safety, quality, compliance and supplier assurance across a diverse product portfolio.

You will lead the HACCP program, maintain the QMS, and drive continuous improvement, audits, and supplier performance while partnering with customers, suppliers and internal teams. This is a highly visible role with scope across technical, quality and development.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or related discipline.
• HACCP and Food Safety qualification (Level 3 minimum).
• Internal Auditor qualification; Lead Auditor experience desirable.
• Strong understanding of supplier assurance, food legislation, and customer standards.
• Experience managing specifications and technical documentation systems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Drive compliance with food safety, legal, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the HACCP team, maintaining HACCP plans and risk assessments.
• Manage third-party accreditation activities and support ongoing audit readiness.
• Lead external audits and ensure sites consistently achieve high standards.
• Oversee supplier approval, auditing, monitoring, and performance management.
• Conduct supplier and internal audits across the business network.
• Manage quality-related investigations, non-conformances, corrective actions, and supplier accountability.
• Support new product development activities, including specification approval and label compliance.
• Ensure technical databases and product information systems remain accurate and up to date.
• Deliver food safety training and technical support to internal teams.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and regulatory stakeholders.

Skills

Food safety

Stakeholder management

Quality improvement

Communication

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Education

Degree in Food Science / Technology

HACCP Level 3

Job description

Technical Manager

West London | Competitive Salary DOE

Lead Food Safety & Technical Excellence in a Fast-Paced Food Business

A well-established and growing food business is seeking an experienced Technical Manager to take ownership of food safety, quality, compliance, and supplier assurance across a diverse product portfolio. This is a highly visible role, acting as the key technical interface between customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders while driving continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

Reporting into senior leadership, you'll lead technical activities across the business, ensuring products meet the highest standards of food safety, legality, quality, and customer compliance. You'll work closely with suppliers, commercial teams, product development, and operational stakeholders to maintain robust systems and drive best practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain the company's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Drive compliance with food safety, legal, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the HACCP team, maintaining HACCP plans and risk assessments.
• Manage third-party accreditation activities and support ongoing audit readiness.
• Lead external audits and ensure sites consistently achieve high standards.
• Oversee supplier approval, auditing, monitoring, and performance management.
• Conduct supplier and internal audits across the business network.
• Manage quality-related investigations, non-conformances, corrective actions, and supplier accountability.
• Support new product development activities, including specification approval and label compliance.
• Ensure technical databases and product information systems remain accurate and up to date.
• Deliver food safety training and technical support to internal teams.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and regulatory stakeholders.

About You

We're looking for an ambitious technical professional who combines strong food safety expertise with a collaborative, commercially aware approach.

Essential Requirements

• Degree qualified in a Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline.
• Experience in a Technical Manager, Quality Manager, or similar technical leadership role within food manufacturing, foodservice, retail supply, or import/export environments.
• HACCP and Food Safety qualification (Level 3 minimum).
• Internal Auditor qualification, with Lead Auditor experience highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of supplier assurance, food legislation, and customer standards.
• Experience managing specifications and technical documentation systems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Why Apply?

Join a market-leading food business with a well-established customer base.

Broad role offering exposure across technical, quality, suppliers, and product development.

Opportunity to influence business-wide food safety and quality strategy.

Work within a collaborative environment that values continuous improvement and technical excellence.

Excellent platform for progression into senior technical leadership roles.