Technical Manager

D R Newitt & Associates; Upper Ruxley; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

D R Newitt & Associates in South East London / Kent is seeking a Technical Manager to support the Head of Technical across customer, product and site compliance activities. The role blends specification management, customer requirements, and food safety systems.

Responsibilities include maintaining specifications, leading HACCP and BRCGS audits, and coordinating site compliance. The ideal candidate has fresh produce experience and strong MS Office skills, with a full driving licence.

Qualifications

• Experience in the fresh produce sector is required.
• Knowledge of food safety, food quality, QMS, BRCGS and HACCP Level 3 is essential.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail are important.
• Ability to prioritise in a fast-paced team environment.
• Full driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain product and customer specifications and update the tracker.
• Manage customer platforms and supplier approvals.
• Complete administration tasks (PPPL creation, platform updates, due diligence).
• Investigate complaints and update non-conformance records.
• Collaborate with QC when the Quality Manager is absent.
• Visit third-party packing facilities as needed.
• Maintain technical documentation and approve labels for products packed at source.
• Liaise with technical management at source locations and visit sites when required.
• Support customer engagement, benchmarking and gap analysis.

Skills

Experience in fresh produce sector

Food safety knowledge

QMS knowledge

BRCGS knowledge

HACCP Level 3

Microsoft Office

Education

None

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Location: South East London / Kent

Salary: £50,000-£55,000, depending on experience

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm, with some flexibility required

Reports to: Head of Technical

Role Overview

Working as part of the technical function, the Technical Manager will support the Head of Technical across customer, product and site compliance activities. The role combines specification management, customer requirements, audit readiness and food safety systems.

Key Responsibilities

Customer and Product Responsibilities

• Maintain product and customer specifications, including creating, recording and updating the temporary specification tracker.
• Manage customer platforms, keeping information current in line with business and customer requirements, including supplier approval and temporary specifications.
• Complete relevant administration, including PPPL creation, platform updates and due diligence maintenance.
• Investigate and resolve complaints and rejections, updating internal non-conformance records.
• Work closely with the QC team when the Quality Manager is absent.
• Visit third-party packing facilities as required by the business.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date technical documentation and approve labels for products packed at source.
• Liaise with technical management at source and visit source locations when required.
• Support customer engagement, benchmarking and gap analysis. Product priorities will be set by the Commercial Director and Head of Technical.

Site and Systems Responsibilities

• Coordinate reviews and updates of policies and procedures.
• Create and maintain site procedures covering food safety, legality, quality and product authenticity.
• Conduct internal GMP audits, issuing, closing and tracking internal non-conformances.
• Identify team training needs and keep training records current.
• Prepare and analyse data and lead monthly SMM meetings.
• Maintain systems aligned with BRCGS and Red Tractor standards.
• Host third-party audits, including BRCGS, Red Tractor and LEAF.
• Maintain high standards of personal and environmental hygiene and brief the business on compliance matters.
• Lead the site HACCP team, with a minimum Level 3 HACCP qualification.
• Promote understanding of and commitment to a strong food safety culture across the workforce.

Candidate Requirements

• Experience in the fresh produce sector, including fruit and vegetables.
• Working knowledge of food safety, food quality, QMS, BRCGS and HACCP Level 3.
• Confidence working collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Well-organised, methodical approach, with close attention to detail and the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Knowledge of BRCGS, product specifications, customer complaint handling and customer requirements.
• Experience working with retail customers.
• Full driving licence