Technical Manager

Drnewitt; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food supply organization is seeking a Technical Manager to oversee food safety and quality across its operations. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years' experience in a senior role within the food industry and a relevant degree. Responsibilities include managing supplier compliance, leading audit preparations, and fostering a strong food safety culture. The role offers a salary of around £55k DOE and requires occasional travel within the UK and internationally.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior technical or quality role within the food industry.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety standards, auditing, and quality management systems.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and build effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Oversee food safety, quality, legality, and integrity across the business.
• Lead preparation for audits and manage technical systems.
• Support suppliers in continuous improvement of quality and food safety performance.

Skills

Food safety standards

Auditing

HACCP

Stakeholder influencing

Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Job description

Job Description

Position: Technical Manager

Reporting to: Operations Director

Working hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Location: Kent

Salary: C. £55k DOE

Role Overview

This organisation operates within the specialist food supply sector, working closely with a diverse network of producers, customers, and internal teams. The business places a strong emphasis on product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across a broad portfolio supplied to retail, independent, and foodservice channels.

The Technical Manager plays a critical leadership role, with responsibility for overseeing food safety, quality, legality, and integrity across the business. The position acts as the central technical authority, ensuring that products, processes, and suppliers meet all relevant legal standards, certification requirements, and customer expectations.

As a senior member of the management team, the role is accountable for setting technical direction, embedding a strong food safety and quality culture, driving continuous improvement, and maintaining effective relationships with customers, suppliers, auditors, and internal stakeholders.

The Technical Manager leads and develops a team of technologists, ensuring that technical activities support commercial objectives while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and best practice.

Key Responsibilities:

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Maintain and improve performance against recognised food safety and ethical standards, including third-party and customer audits

• Lead food safety, quality, authenticity, and risk management activities, including the development and maintenance of policies, procedures, and work instructions

• Own and manage HACCP systems, food defence, and vulnerability assessments

• Ensure ongoing compliance with relevant legislation, standards, and customer codes of practice

• Monitor emerging regulatory and customer requirements and ensure timely implementation

Supplier & Product Assurance

• Manage supplier and raw material approval processes, including risk assessments and on-site audits where required

• Ensure own-label and branded products meet defined technical specifications and audit requirements

• Support suppliers in driving continuous improvement in quality and food safety performance

• Conduct audits of non-certified suppliers in line with internal schedules

Audit & Customer Interface

• Lead preparation for internal, external, customer, and supplier audits and technical visits

• Act as the primary technical contact for customers, responding to queries, managing technical systems, and providing accurate information

• Maintain customer-facing technical data via relevant online platforms

New Product & Change Management

• Oversee technical delivery within new product development and product change processes

• Ensure specifications, artwork, and approvals are completed accurately and on time

• Work cross-functionally to manage technical risk during product launches and changes

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Lead and develop the technical and quality team, setting clear objectives and fostering capability growth

• Review and improve internal systems to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance

• Develop and maintain internal audit programmes and participate in audits

• Analyse technical KPIs and trends, providing insight to support operational and strategic decision-making

• Champion a right-first-time, continuous improvement mindset across the business

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with operations, supply chain, engineering, and commercial teams to ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality products

• Communicate current and potential supply or compliance risks clearly and proactively

Travel

• Travel within the UK and internationally as required, including occasional overnight stays

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior technical or quality role within the food industry

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science or a related discipline

• Strong working knowledge of food safety standards, auditing, and quality management systems

• Experience of HACCP leadership and risk-based decision-making

• Confident communicator with strong written and verbal skills

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail

• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and build effective working relationships

• Competent user of Microsoft Office and technical data systems

• Full UK driving licence

• Willingness to travel

Desirable

• Experience working with retail and customer-specific technical standards

• Lead auditor qualification

• Commercial awareness and ability to balance technical risk with business needs

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and solutions-focused

• Strong organisational and time-management skills

• Analytical, with sound judgement and decision-making ability

• Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment

• Confident leader who promotes a positive food safety culture

• Collaborative team player with a “can-do” attitude

If this role would be of interest to you, please send your CV over to [e-mail] or call 0131 226 5060.