Technical Manager

Sofina Foods Europe; Little Wratting; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sofina Foods is seeking a Factory Technical Manager to lead quality performance, food safety and continuous improvement at a premium pork site.

The role is hands-on, focused on embedding a proactive quality culture, working with operators, engineers and site leaders to strengthen process control, drive defect reduction and ensure compliance with BRC and GMP.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Quality Manager or senior quality leadership role.
• Experience in factory-based manufacturing with quality improvements.
• Knowledge of RCA, PDCA and structured problem solving.
• Experience with GMP and BRC standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality performance and drive a strong quality culture on site.
• Maintain shopfloor presence, coach colleagues, support real-time quality improvements.
• Lead daily factory walks, process verification activities and in-process quality reviews.
• Drive rapid containment and investigation of quality issues.
• Oversee Quality Management System maintenance and audit readiness.
• Ensure compliance with GMP and customer standards.

Skills

Quality leadership

Lean principles

Root Cause Analysis

PDCA

Quality systems

Stakeholder mgmt

Tools

SPC

FMEA

Process control

Job description

Driving food safety, quality and technical excellence at one of our premium pork production sites.

Role Overview

As Factory Technical Manager, you'll be a highly visible leader at the heart of our manufacturing operation, driving quality performance, food safety and continuous improvement where it matters most: on the factory floor.

This is a hands-on role focused on embedding a proactive quality culture, improving right-first-time performance and ensuring issues are prevented rather than simply corrected. Spending the majority of your time within production, you'll work closely with operators, supervisors, engineers and site leaders to strengthen process control, build capability and create sustainable improvements across the operation.

Key Duties

Reporting to the Head of Technical, you'll play a key leadership role in maintaining high standards of quality, compliance and operational excellence while helping to develop a culture where everyone takes ownership for quality.

You will:

• Lead quality performance and drive a strong quality culture across the manufacturing operation.
• Maintain a significant shopfloor presence, coaching colleagues and supporting real-time quality improvement activities.
• Deputise for the Head of Technical when required.
• Lead daily factory walks, process verification activities and in-process quality reviews.
• Drive rapid response to quality issues, ensuring effective containment, investigation and resolution.
• Champion structured problem-solving methodologies, including Root Cause Analysis and PDCA.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction, waste elimination and process capability.
• Maintain and improve the Quality Management System, ensuring standards are practical, effective and embedded within operations.
• Support compliance with customer, legal and industry standards, including BRC and GMP requirements.
• Lead internal and external audits, ensuring audit readiness through strong day-to-day standards.
• Manage site non-conformances and corrective action processes, ensuring sustainable solutions are implemented.
• Oversee pest control management and ensure compliance with site and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering and wider site teams to improve quality performance and resolve issues at source.

Ideal Candidate

We're looking for a quality professional who thrives on the factory floor, enjoys coaching others and has a passion for driving continuous improvement within a manufacturing environment.

You will have:

• Proven experience in a Quality Manager, Technical Manager or senior quality leadership role.
• Strong experience working within a factory-based manufacturing environment.
• A track record of driving quality improvements through shopfloor engagement and leadership.
• Extensive experience using Root Cause Analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of Continuous Improvement tools, Lean principles and PDCA methodologies.
• Experience managing quality systems, audits and compliance within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• The ability to influence, challenge and drive positive behavioural change across all levels of the business.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to identify trends and drive improvements.Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A practical and solutions-focused approach with a strong attention to detail.

It would be advantageous if you also have:

• Experience within FMCG, food manufacturing or other high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of advanced quality tools such as SPC, FMEA and process control methodologies.
• Experience working within customer-facing manufacturing environments with demanding quality standards.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity to take a highly influential role within a fast-paced manufacturing environment where quality and food safety are central to success.

You'll have the opportunity to shape site culture, develop teams, improve operational performance and drive meaningful change across the business. Working closely with site leadership, you'll play a key role in delivering sustainable improvements while helping build a culture where quality is owned by everyone.

As part of Sofina Foods, you'll join a business committed to continuous improvement, operational excellence and developing its people, providing excellent opportunities for future career growth.

About Sofina

Sofina Foods is more than just a food company. It's a place where you can grow your career, learn new skills, and make a positive impact.

With a wide range of meat and seafood products that delight consumers worldwide, Sofina Foods is always looking for talented and passionate people to join its team of over 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe.

At Sofina Foods, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. You will work with diverse and delicious products that are sourced responsibly and sustainably from over 50 different protein sources from 5 continents.

Our vision is to be the most successful food company in the world. If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the food sector, Sofina Foods is the place for you.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences - regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation