Technical Manager

D R Newitt Recruitment; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

D R Newitt Recruitment is recruiting for a senior Technical Manager at a major food manufacturing site in Greater Manchester. You will lead the technical function, shape site strategy and ensure top-tier food safety, quality, hygiene and compliance standards.

The role reports to the Site Director and involves owning the technical strategy, guiding a high-performing team, and driving improvements across audits, customer relations and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Senior Technical or Quality leadership experience in food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, TACCP, VACCP and QMS.
• Experience with customer audits, BRCGS and external audits.
• Data-driven mindset with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the site's technical strategy and lead a high-performing Technical Team.
• Lead HACCP, traceability, mass balance, and QMS.
• Lead customer visits, audits, reviews and inspections.
• Drive continuous improvement and the Quality Improvement Plan.
• Manage budgets and identify cost-efficiency opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and retailer standards.
• Develop talent through coaching and succession planning.

Skills

Senior technical leadership

Food safety

Quality management systems

Stakeholder management

Audits & inspections

Education

Degree in Food Science or equivalent

Internal Auditing qualification

IPPC & Environmental Management Systems knowledge

Job description

Are you an experienced Technical Manager looking for a senior leadership role where you can influence food safety, quality, customer relationships and site performance?

We’re recruiting for an established food manufacturing site in Greater Manchester and are looking for a confident Technical Manager to lead the technical function, drive the site strategy and ensure the highest standards of Food Safety, Quality, Integrity, Hygiene and Compliance.

This is a highly visible role within the senior leadership team, with the opportunity to make a real impact across the site and with key customers.

The Role

Reporting to the Site Director, you'll take ownership of the site's technical strategy and lead a high-performing Technical Team.

You'll:

• Lead the Technical, Food Safety and Quality strategy in line with site and business objectives.
• Own HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, traceability, mass balance and Quality Management Systems.
• Lead customer visits, technical reviews, audits and external inspections.
• Build strong customer relationships and proactively manage technical issues and requirements.
• Drive audit performance, corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Develop and deliver the site's Quality Improvement Plan.
• Lead, coach and develop the Technical Team, including succession planning and capability development.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, customer standards, Codes of Practice and internal procedures.
• Use data, trends and risk analysis to identify opportunities and drive improvement.
• Oversee hygiene, pest control, product integrity and environmental compliance.
• Manage technical budgets while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and control costs.
• Stay ahead of legislative, regulatory and industry developments and ensure the site responds effectively.

About You

We're looking for a commercially aware and technically strong leader with:

• Proven experience in a senior Technical or Quality leadership role within Food Manufacturing/FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of Food Safety, HACCP, TACCP, VACCP and Quality Management Systems.
• Experience managing customer audits, BRCGS/external audits and technical customer relationships.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing legislation and retailer/customer standards.
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing teams.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• A data-driven approach with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• The confidence to challenge, influence and drive standards across a manufacturing site.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or equivalent.
• Advanced Microbiology.
• Internal Auditing qualification.
• IPPC and Environmental Management Systems knowledge.
• Awareness of Ethical Trading and SEDEX requirements.

Why Consider It?

This is an opportunity to join the senior leadership team of a major food manufacturing operation, with genuine influence over food safety, quality, customer relationships and site performance.

You’ll have the scope to lead a talented technical team, shape strategy, drive continuous improvement and make a visible impact across the site.

If you're currently a Technical Manager, Technical & Quality Manager, Quality Manager or Senior Technical Manager looking for your next challenge, we'd love to have a confidential conversation.