Technical Manager

Henderson Brown; Southampton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Job summary

Henderson Brown in Southampton seeks an experienced Technical Manager to lead the site’s Food Safety, Quality, Legality, Authenticity and Compliance agenda. You will champion continuous improvement, guide technical strategy, and influence product quality for major UK retailers.

The role covers QMS ownership, audits (internal and external), HACCP/TACCP/VACCP management, and technical reviews across the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Experience in technical management within a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, allergen management, traceability, and UK Food Law.
• Experience leading audits and continuous improvement programs.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Technical, Quality Assurance, and Process teams, embedding food safety and quality excellence.
• Own and enhance the site's Quality Management System (QMS) ensuring compliance with BRCGS and retailer standards.
• Chair HACCP, TACCP, VACCP programmes including allergen management and traceability.
• Lead customer, retailer, third-party audits and drive corrective actions.
• Act as primary technical contact for customers, suppliers and external stakeholders.
• Provide technical leadership across product lifecycle including NPD and process optimisation.
• Monitor Technical KPIs and drive data-driven improvement across operations.
• Develop and coach Technical and QA teams to deliver operational excellence.

Job description

Technical Manager (3641391) Southampton, England

Salary: GBP55000 - GBP60000 per annum + Bonus

We're partnering with an innovative food manufacturer looking for an experienced Technical Manager to lead the site's Food Safety, Quality, Legality, Authenticity, and Compliance agenda. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking business where you'll influence technical strategy, champion continuous improvement, and play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional products to some of the UK's leading retailers.

Technical Manager

Southampton

Permanent

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead the site's Technical, Quality Assurance, and Process teams, embedding a culture of food safety, quality excellence, and continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation
• Own and continuously enhance the site's Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring full compliance with BRCGS, UK Food Law, customer Codes of Practice, and retailer standards
• Chair and manage HACCP, TACCP, and VACCP programmes, overseeing allergen management, traceability, food defence, authenticity, hygiene, and foreign body prevention systems
• Lead customer, retailer, third-party, and certification audits, driving audit readiness and implementing robust corrective and preventative actions
• Act as the primary technical contact for customers, suppliers, and external stakeholders, leading technical reviews, product launches, complaint reduction initiatives, and first production approvals
• Provide technical leadership throughout the product lifecycle, supporting NPD, process optimisation, risk assessments, factory trials, and continuous manufacturing improvements
• Monitor and analyse Technical KPIs including customer complaints, audit performance, Right First Time, GMP compliance, supplier performance, and Cost of Quality, implementing data-driven improvement strategies
• Develop, coach, and inspire the Technical and QA teams while collaborating with Production, Engineering, Procurement, and Commercial functions to deliver operational excellence and protect product integrity

What We're Looking For:

• Proven Technical Management or Senior Quality leadership experience within a BRC-certified food manufacturing environment
• Extensive knowledge of HACCP, allergen management, traceability, UK Food Law, retailer standards, and Quality Management Systems
• Demonstrable experience leading customer, retailer, and third-party audits, with a strong track record of delivering continuous improvement and food safety excellence
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience working closely with major UK retailers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams
• Own transport and full UK working rights (no sponsorship or visas available)

If you're ready to take ownership of a site's technical strategy, influence business performance, and lead a high-performing technical function within a progressive food manufacturing business, we'd love to hear from you.