Technical Manager

In The News; North East; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

In The News seeks a Technical Leader to head the site's technical function, ensuring products are safe, compliant and high-quality. You will drive the QMS and food safety programs while collaborating with Production, NPD, Engineering and Commercial teams to support launches and improvements.

You will coach and develop Technical and Quality teams, embedding a proactive, solutions-focused culture and leading audits with retailers and third parties to uphold standards.

Qualifications

• Experienced Technical Manager or Senior Technical professional in food manufacturing.
• Proven ability to coach and develop Technical or Quality teams.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Standards and HACCP.
• Experience leading audits by retailers and third parties.
• Excellent communicator with cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Passionate about food safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day Technical function ensuring safe, legal, high-quality production.
• Maintain and improve the Quality Management System and food safety systems.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS, retailer standards and legislation.
• Lead internal, customer, retailer and third-party audits and actions.
• Monitor KPIs, complaints and audit outcomes for improvements.
• Manage HACCP, traceability, supplier approvals and technical docs.
• Develop and coach Technical and Quality teams to build food safety culture.
• Collaborate with Operations, NPD, Engineering and Commercial on launches and improvements.
• Investigate issues, perform root cause analysis and prevent recurrence.

Skills

Technical leadership

Quality management

Food manufacturing

Audits & compliance

Communication

Continuous improvement

Job description

Location: TeessideOverview:We're working with a well-established and growing food manufacturer looking to appoint a Technical Manager to play a key role in leading the site's technical function. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a fast-paced manufacturing business where you'll be responsible for maintaining exceptional food safety, quality and compliance standards, while driving continuous improvement and supporting the ongoing success of the site. Reporting into the Head of Technical, you'll lead the day-to-day technical operation, working closely with Production, NPD, Engineering, Commercial and Supply Chain to ensure products consistently meet customer, retailer and regulatory requirements. You'll play a key role in embedding a positive food safety culture while supporting the wider business in delivering operational excellence.

About You

• An experienced Technical Manager, Quality Manager or Senior Technical professional with a strong background in food manufacturing, ideally within chilled, fresh food or food-to-go production.
• Proven experience managing Technical or Quality teams within a manufacturing environment, with the ability to coach, develop and motivate others.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Standards, HACCP, food legislation, retailer standards and customer requirements.
• Experienced in leading customer, retailer and third-party audits, managing non-conformances and implementing effective corrective and preventative actions.
• An excellent communicator with the confidence to build strong relationships across all areas of the business and with external customers.
• Passionate about food safety, quality and continuous improvement, with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.

What will you be doing?

• Leading the day-to-day Technical function, ensuring all products are manufactured safely, legally and to the highest quality standards.
• Supporting the Head of Technical in maintaining and continuously improving the site's Quality Management System (QMS) and food safety management systems.
• Ensuring compliance with BRCGS, retailer standards, food legislation and customer requirements across the site.
• Leading internal, customer, retailer and third-party audits, ensuring corrective and preventative actions are implemented effectively.
• Monitoring technical KPIs, customer complaints, microbiological results and audit outcomes to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Managing HACCP, traceability, supplier approval, product specifications, risk assessments and technical documentation.
• Leading, coaching and developing the Technical and Quality teams, promoting a strong food safety culture throughout the business.
• Working collaboratively with Operations, NPD, Engineering, Procurement and Commercial teams to support product launches, process improvements and wider business objectives.
• Investigating technical issues, carrying out root cause analysis and implementing robust corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

What can they offer you?

• The opportunity to join a successful and growing food manufacturing business with an excellent reputation for quality.
• A key leadership role where you'll have genuine influence over food safety, quality and continuous improvement.
• The chance to work closely with major retail customers while developing your career within a progressive and supportive business.
• A collaborative environment that values innovation, continuous improvement and people development.
• Excellent opportunities for future career progression within the wider technical leadership team.

We are seeking applications from talented Technical Managers, Quality Managers, Assistant Technical Managers, Senior Quality Managers, Technical Services Managers, QA Managers, Food Safety Managers and Senior Technical professionals who live within Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, Redcar, Hartlepool, Northallerton, Thirsk, Durham, Sunderland, York, Newcastle upon Tyne and the surrounding areas.

We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.