Technical Manager

Zest Recruitment; Hull and East Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest Recruitment is partnering with a well‑established food manufacturer to appoint a Technical Manager who will spearhead the site’s technical function. You’ll oversee food safety, quality and regulatory compliance while leading a dedicated technical team and serving as the primary technical contact for customers and auditors.

The role reports to the Technical Director and sits on the Senior Leadership Team, offering strategic influence, autonomy and a strong people‑centric culture.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a similar Technical Manager role within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS and HACCP.
• Experience working with retailer standards and codes of practice.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for food safety, legality and quality across the site.
• Lead, motivate and develop the site technical team.
• Shape and deliver the site technical strategy in line with wider business goals.
• Lead all external visits, customer audits and third‑party inspections on site.
• Act as the main point of contact for customers and all technical queries.
• Keep the site audit‑ready at all times and in line with customer and retailer standards.
• Champion and drive a strong, positive food safety culture at every level of the business.
• Work closely with the SLT to support continuous improvement and business growth.

Skills

Technical leadership

Food safety culture

Audits & inspections

Stakeholder management

Retailer standards

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Job description

Technical Manager - Food Manufacturing

Location: Yorkshire | Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 | Permanent, Full Time

Are you an experienced Technical Manager looking for a role where you'll have real influence, a seat at the senior leadership table and the chance to shape the technical direction of a site? If so, I'd love to hear from you.

I'm delighted to be working with a well-established food manufacturer. They're now looking for a Technical Manager to strengthen their technical team and lead the site's technical function. This is an excellent opportunity to join a business that values its people, invests in food safety culture and will give you the autonomy and support to make a lasting impact.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Technical Director and sitting as part of the Senior Leadership Team, you'll take full ownership of food safety and quality across the site. You'll lead, develop and support a dedicated technical team, and act as the go-to person for customers and technical matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for food safety, legality and quality across the site
• Lead, motivate and develop the site technical team
• Shape and deliver the site technical strategy in line with wider business goals
• Lead all external visits, customer audits and third-party inspections on site
• Act as the main point of contact for customers and all technical queries
• Keep the site audit-ready at all times and in line with customer and retailer standards
• Champion and drive a strong, positive food safety culture at every level of the business
• Work closely with the SLT to support continuous improvement and business growth

About You

• Proven experience in a similar Technical Manager role within food manufacturing (essential)
• A degree in Food Science or a related discipline (essential)
• Strong, hands‑on knowledge of BRCGS and HACCP
• Experience of working directly with retailer standards and codes of practice
• A natural, supportive leader who can build, engage and develop a high‑performing team
• Confident communicator, comfortable working with customers, auditors and senior stakeholders
• Passionate about food safety culture and bringing people along with you

The ideal candidate will be working in a similar position within food production.