Technical Manager

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

Job summary

A leading food company in the UK is seeking a Technical Manager. This role involves overseeing technical aspects of product development, ensuring compliance with legal, safety, and quality requirements, and providing technical support throughout the product lifecycle. Candidates must have a Food Science or Technology Degree and experience in a related environment. Strong communication and planning skills are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing/foodservice/retail environment.
• Proven planning & organizing skills with the ability to manage projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all technical aspects related to products.
• Ensure timely product launches and monitor supplier performance.
• Provide technical support during product development.

Skills

Good Communication Skills

Project Management

Attention to Detail

Education

Food Science or Technology Degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description

Job Title & Details

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 that this role collaborates with: 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

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 / Responsibilities

• 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 is maintained, products sourced meet Legal, Safety, Sustainability, Ethical, and Quality requirements with ongoing monitoring of supplier performance.
• 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.
• Review product specifications, artwork, marketing collateral, and other technical or non-technical documents and, where required, liaise with chosen legal advisor or other trade bodies to ensure legislative requirements are being met.
• Customer and 3rd party (professional & trade bodies) liaison, interaction and support.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 (How performance against the job accountabilities above will be measured – a KPI may cover more than one accountability):
  • 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

• Financial: Travel Expenses.
• Capital: Revenue.
• People: Employees (total): 0, split into Direct: 0 / Indirect: 0.
• Other relevant statistics/details.
• 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

• Judgement 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.
• 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

• 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: February 2019 Owner: Director of Technical Services)