Technical Manager

Northern Soul Recruitment; Preston; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Soul Recruitment is seeking a Technical Manager for a full-time, on-site role in the Lancashire area within a food and drink manufacturing environment. You will lead technical, quality, and compliance activities, set standards, and ensure regulatory, safety, and customer requirements are met.

You will review specifications, support audits, and drive continuous improvement with operations, NPD, and supply chain teams.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills to interpret technical data, quality metrics, and production performance.
• Demonstrated team management experience, leading cross-functional technical or quality teams.
• Proficiency in providing technical support within manufacturing, including troubleshooting and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical, quality and compliance activities across the site.
• Maintain and improve quality systems; lead technical investigations and support audits.
• Collaborate with operations, NPD and supply chain to drive continuous improvement.
• Review specifications and documentation; provide technical support across the site.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Team leadership

Technical troubleshooting

R&D in food/drink

Project management

Food science/Engineering knowledge

Food safety standards (HACCP/BRCGS)

Communication

Detail-oriented

FMCG industry experience

Education

Degree in Food Science/Engineering/Quality Management

Job description

Company Description

Northern Soul Recruitment is a specialist recruiter and headhunter focused on the Food and Drink manufacturing and FMCG sector. With over 13 years of industry experience, the company supports hiring across operations, supply chain, technical and quality, engineering, NPD and innovation, commercial, marketing, finance, IT, and HR. Northern Soul Recruitment works with roles covering permanent and fixed-term contracts across all temperature categories, including frozen, chilled, ambient, ingredients, drinks, and packaging. The team partners closely with employers and professionals to match technical and leadership talent with the needs of dynamic manufacturing environments.

Role Description

The Technical Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in the Lancashire area overseeing technical, quality, and compliance activities within a food and drink manufacturing environment. This role manages technical teams, sets quality standards, and ensures that products meet regulatory, safety, and customer requirements. Day-to-day responsibilities include maintaining and improving quality systems, leading technical investigations, supporting audits, and collaborating with operations, NPD, and supply chain teams to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement. The Technical Manager will also provide technical support across the site, review specifications and documentation, and contribute to new product development projects by assessing feasibility and ensuring compliance. The role requires regular communication with internal stakeholders and external bodies, including customers, suppliers, and regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills to interpret technical data, quality metrics, and production performance.
• Demonstrated team management experience, including leading cross-functional technical or quality teams.
• Proficiency in providing technical support within manufacturing, including troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Experience in research and development (R&D), particularly in food or drink product and process innovation.
• Solid project management skills to plan, execute, and deliver technical and improvement projects on time.
• Relevant degree or equivalent experience in Food Science, Engineering, Quality Management, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, quality systems (e.g., HACCP, BRCGS), and regulatory requirements in FMCG.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and present technical information clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a focus on continuous improvement and best practice.
• Experience in the Food and Drink manufacturing sector or wider FMCG industry is highly beneficial.

Contact

[e-mail] / 07745 912 982