Technical Manager

Drnewitt; Slough; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food producer in the UK is looking for a Technical Manager to oversee the technical aspects of their own label and exclusive brand product portfolio. This role involves ensuring timely product launches, liaising with suppliers, and maintaining product quality and compliance with legal, safety, and ethical requirements. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree and experience in a manufacturing or foodservice environment, along with strong communication and planning skills.

Qualifications

• Experience required in a manufacturing/foodservice/retail environment.
• Proven planning and organising skills with ability to manage projects efficiently.
• Strong drive and adaptability ensuring deliverables are met.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technical aspects of the business and product development.
• Ensure compliance with quality and safety requirements.
• Conduct supplier site visits for adherence to policies.

Skills

Good Communication and influencing skills

Strong planning & organising

Strong IT skills

Attention to detail

Education

Food Science or Technology Degree

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description

Job description

Business position (where role sits within wider business)

Job title: Technical Manager

Division/depot: Technical Services, Slough

Reports to (job title): Senior Technical Manager

Number of subordinates: 0 Job title of subordinates: N/A

Grade of peer group: 8 & 10

Job titles: Senior Technical Manager, Technical Managers, Sustainable Packaging Manager, Supply Chain Managers, Category Mangers, Buyers, Regulatory Compliance Advisor, Technical Administrator, Product Quality Coordinator and Technical Support Manager, Fresh Produce Technologist

Job purpose/business benefit of role (1-2 sentence summary of the unique contribution this job makes to the organisation’s purpose)

This role is primarily responsible for overseeing all technical aspects related to the business, and Exclusive Brand own label product portfolio. As a vital member of the product category teams, this role offers technical guidance and support throughout the development process, from concept to launch. This role ensures timely product launches and maintains accurate technical information for all products with ongoing monitoring of supplier performance.

Accountabilities

1. Provide technical support and direction during the development of own label and exclusive brand products from concept through to launch, ensuring that new products are launched on time, accurate technical information maintained, products sourced meet Legal, Safety, Sustainability, Ethical, and Quality requirements with ongoing monitoring of supplier performance.
2. Conduct visits to own label product supplier sites to ensure adherence to policies as outlined in the STM (Supplier Technical Manual). These visits may encompass various tasks such as site approval, participation in pre-production and first production trials, addressing any arising issues, and conducting routine due diligence when necessary. Additionally, visits to branded suppliers may be necessary, primarily for troubleshooting purposes, requiring flexibility in this role.
3. Review product specifications, artwork, marketing collateral, and other technical or non-technical documents and where required liaising with chosen legal advisor or other trade bodies to ensure legislative requirements are being met.
4. Customer and 3rd party (professional & trade bodies) liaison, interaction and support.
5. Support the analysis of microbiological and analytical test results of own brand products where required, assess where action needs to be taken and ensure corrective action plans in-line with timings are being followed through.
6. Attend ‘Product Evaluation’ sessions of own brand products, this could include new product development product selection, Pre & 1st pro product sign off, Quality Attribute Sheet (QAS), competitor benchmarking and buyer tender product approvals. Analysis of the results and investigation with relevant suppliers when products do not meet the relevant requirements, ensuring the appropriate processes are being adhered to.
7. Working within a category team, support product improvements and new product development – attend regular category team meetings when in place and share relevant technical updates that impact the category.
8. Review product specifications, artwork, marketing collateral, and other technical or non-technical documents. Liaise with chosen legal advisors or other trade bodies as necessary to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
9. Support the wider technical services team in resolving customer complaints & queries, identifying trends, aiming for continual reduction in complaints. Maintain vigilance on branded supplier product issues within the category area, offering support for significant branded supplier issues as needed. Additionally, strive to decrease the CPM.
10. Act as ‘front line’ when dealing with, emerging industry issues, critical product issues, both in and out of hours if required, working with the relevant key stakeholders as appropriate.
11. Health and safety accountabilities:

• Comply with the Company Health & Safety Policy.
• Support the BS OHSAS 18001:2007 accreditation process.
• Comply with all verbal and written instructions in matters pertaining to Health & Safety.
• Attend Health & Safety training courses as per instructions from line managers.

Measures & Key Performance Indicators

Tangible review and continual improvement of the quality management systems ensuring effective communication and implementation of change.

On time launch of all projects providing timely technical support overcoming hurdles associated during the development and listing process, this includes ensuring the product information being 100% available and accurate at time of launch into the depots.

Comprehensive and risk focused supplier approval audit reports including associated actions to support a due diligence defence, reports to be circulated to the relevant stakeholders with corrective actions closed out within the agreed timelines.

Efficient management of complaints, trends, investigation, resolution and continual improvement.

Keeping up to date with legislative and current/emerging issues, checking supplier’s adherence, taking necessary actions and making recommendations to the business.

On time completion of individual projects and SMART objectives as agreed with line manager.

Support technical services policy development, evolution and implementation in accordance with business and legislative requirements.

Own brand product specifications maintained to be 100% complete, accurate to best of knowledge and matches other internal systems.

Ways of working to be efficient, effective and proactive whilst challenging the status quo.

Budgets/People

1. Financial (e.g. costs/orders/sales/revenue budgets): Travel Expenses.

Capital: Revenue:

2. People (e.g. staff managed – direct and indirect)

Employees (total): 0 split into Direct: / Indirect: 0

3. Other relevant statistics/details (e.g. projects managed/payroll costs):

Internal Contacts

Technical services, buying teams, marketing, PR, supply chain, Sustainability, Specialist Businesses, National Accounts, Manufacturing (Yarde Farm, Simply Food Solutions), IT, Procurement, Oliver Kay.

External Contacts

Customers, Suppliers, Trade Bodies e.g. FSA, Campden BRI, Leatherhead, BRC, DEFRA, EHO/TSO.

Challenges/Decision making

Judgements on key technical issues in the face of a range of facts and opinions.

• Working with key stakeholders, ability to communicate effectively.

• Influence and negotiate cross functionally.

• Judgement on key technical issues in the face of a range of facts and opinions and always considering wider business impact.

• Highly proactive product, supplier and customer management.

• Efficient & Effective product, supplier and customer management.

• Multitasking, deadlines, sometimes short turn around to meet business needs.

Jobholder requirements

Preference – Food Science or Technology Degree Experience required in a manufacturing/ foodservice/retail environment Good Communication and influencing skills – oral and written Proven planning & organising skills with the ability to manage projects including prioritisation Strong drive and adaptability ensuring deliverables are met efficiently and effectively Strong IT skills are essential with knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint Strong attention to detail with the ability to interpret and analyse technical information

Behaviour requirements (NB. added following the evaluation)

Care Take pride in what you do, no matter what you do

• Caring about our customers and colleagues

• Being accountable and taking ownership to find great solutions

• Having passion for what you do and who you do it for

• Caring about the details

Share Work together to make great things happen

• Keeping customers and colleagues informed and connected

• Involving the right people at the right time

• Collaborating across teams to achieve the same goals

• Being ‘joined up’ in your approach

Dare Take brave steps to achieve extraordinary results

• Making bold decisions

• Challenging the status quo and having conviction in what you know is right for the business

• Being innovative and proactive in how you approach things

• Not being afraid to invest time in things that add value

Version

Version: February 2019 Owner: Director of Technical Services