Technical Manager

The Sterling Choice; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sterling Choice has a role in a UK food manufacturing site responsible for the day-to-day Technical performance of a busy factory supplying major retailers.

Reporting to the Head of Technical, you will lead the factory-facing Technical team, ensuring food safety, quality and customer standards are maintained while driving continuous improvements. You will develop your team and partner with Operations to secure lasting benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven Technical or Quality management experience within food manufacturing (ideally chilled foods).
• Strong BRCGS knowledge and experience working with major UK retailers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the factory Technical team to maintain food safety, quality and customer standards.
• Collaborate with Operations to identify root causes and implement lasting improvements.
• Lead retailer visits and audits, developing joint quality improvement plans and building customer confidence.
• Develop and mentor the Technical team; ensure Technical has a clear voice in site decisions.

Skills

Technical management

Quality management

Food safety

Root cause analysis

Education

HACCP Level 3

Food safety qualifications

Job description

There's a difference between having responsibility for Technical standards and having the influence to improve them.

This role needs someone who can do both.

You'll be joining an established food manufacturing business, taking responsibility for the day-to-day Technical performance of a busy factory supplying major UK retailers.

Reporting to the Head of Technical, you'll lead the factory-facing Technical team, making sure food safety, quality and customer standards are maintained while continually looking for ways to make things better.

But this isn't a role where you'll spend your time reviewing reports and telling people what needs fixing.

You'll need to be visible, involved and prepared to challenge.

Whether it's a recurring customer complaint, a factory non-conformance or an opportunity to improve process controls, you'll be expected to get to the root of the issue and work with Operations to make improvements that last.

You'll also have significant customer exposure, leading retailer visits and audits, developing joint quality improvement plans and building relationships that give customers confidence in the site's Technical performance.

And then there's the people side.

You'll be responsible for developing your Technical team, setting clear expectations and giving people the support and accountability they need to perform. You'll also work closely with the wider site leadership team, ensuring Technical has a genuine voice in operational decisions.

You'll need proven Technical or Quality management experience within food manufacturing, ideally chilled foods, alongside strong BRCGS knowledge and experience working directly with major UK retailers.

Experience leading audits, managing factory Technical teams and improving site performance will be important, as will Level 3 HACCP and Food Safety qualifications.

Ultimately, they're looking for someone who can do more than maintain standards. Someone who can lead people, influence decisions and make a measurable difference to how the factory performs.