Technical Manager

Silven Recruitment Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Silven Recruitment Limited represents a long-established UK food manufacturer seeking a Technical Manager for its South West site. You will lead food safety, quality and hygiene across the site, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on problem solving, and sit on the site leadership team.

Reporting to the Head of Quality, you will drive HACCP, GMP and audits, develop the technical team, and shape the technical strategy for new products while representing the business during customer and

Qualifications

• Proven Technical Management experience in FMCG manufacturing.
• Experience with major UK retailers' private label products.
• Lead Auditor certification – FSSC 22000
• HACCP Level 4
• Food Safety Level 4
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge and drive change
• A strong track record of coaching and developing technical teams

Responsibilities

• Manage the site Food Safety & Quality Management System
• Lead HACCP, GMP, sanitation, and pest control initiatives
• Oversee internal and external audits and inspections
• Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement
• Develop and lead the technical team and site-wide quality initiatives
• Shape the site's technical strategy and support new product introductions

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Audit expertise

Stakeholder influence

Coaching teams

Education

Lead Auditor certification – FSSC 22000

HACCP Level 4

Food Safety Level 4

Job description

About the Business

Thiswell-established food manufacturer with a long-standing presence in the UK market is looking for an experienced Technical Manager located in the South West. Operating multiple production sites nationally and employing a large workforce, the business produces a range of well-known food brands across the country. With a strong focus on quality, safety, and operational excellence, they have built a reputation for consistently delivering products that customers trust and enjoy.

They are committed to building an inclusive workforce and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, investing in the development of their people and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across all of their sites. As part of their ongoing growth, they are now looking to appoint an experienced Technical Manager for their facility.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Quality, this role holds full accountability for food safety, hygiene, and quality assurance standards across the site, and is a core member of the site leadership team.

You will act as the technical authority for the site, working closely with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure that every product leaving the facility meets the highest standards of safety, legality, and quality. This is a hands-on, highly visible role, requiring someone who can balance strategic oversight with day-to-day technical problem-solving on the factory floor.

You will also play a key role in shaping the site's technical strategy, supporting new product introductions, and representing the business during customer and third-party audits.

Key Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will span three core areas: food safety and quality, hygiene and quality assurance, and leadership of the technical function.

Food Safety & Quality

• Manage the site Food Safety & Quality Management System
• Lead HACCP, GMP, sanitation, and pest control initiatives
• Oversee internal and external audits and inspections
• Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement

Hygiene & Quality Assurance

• Establish and maintain hygiene standards
• Ensure quality controls for raw materials and finished products
• Lead compliance initiatives for legal and customer requirements

Leadership

• Develop the Food Safety & Quality team and manage succession planning
• Champion a strong food safety culture across the site

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a technically strong, credible leader who can influence at all levels of the business. You'll ideally bring:

• Proven Technical Management experience in FMCG manufacturing
• Experience with major UK retailers' private label products
• Lead Auditor certification – FSSC 22000
• HACCP Level 4
• Food Safety Level 4
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge and drive change
• A strong track record of coaching and developing technical teams

What's on Offer

In return, you'll be offered a competitive salary and benefits package, along with genuine opportunities for career progression within a well-established, growing organisation. You'll join a supportive leadership team and have real influence over the site's technical direction.