Technical Manager

Reed Specialist Recruitment; West of England; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment partners with a well‑established food manufacturing business to recruit a Technical Manager / Quality Manager. You will lead site quality, food safety, and technical activities while driving improvements and ensuring compliance with customer standards and regulations.

The role offers autonomy within a growing manufacturing environment, with exposure to cross‑functional teams and external audits. Strong HACCP knowledge and supplier management are essential.

Qualifications

• Experienced Technical Manager or Quality Manager in food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety and quality management systems.
• Experience managing supplier approvals and external audits.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive, decisive with ability to drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead all site quality, food safety, and technical activities.
• Manage and continuously improve the QMS.
• Oversee supplier approval, performance, and compliance programmes.
• Support production with technical expertise and problem-solving.
• Review procedures and implement improvements to drive efficiency and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with customer standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lead audits and ensure successful outcomes.
• Drive a positive quality culture across departments.
• Monitor site performance via key metrics and cross-functional collaboration.
• Act as key technical contact for customers, suppliers, and external stakeholders.

Skills

Quality management

HACCP

Supplier audits

Stakeholder management

Root cause analysis

Problem solving

Team leadership

Job description

Technical Manager / Quality Manager

Salary: Up to £55,000

Working Pattern: Full time

Sector: Food Manufacturing

The Opportunity

We are partnering with a well‑established food manufacturing business seeking an experienced Technical Manager or Quality Manager to lead site quality, food safety, and compliance activities.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident technical professional who enjoys being at the heart of the operation. You'll take ownership of technical and quality functions across the site, working closely with production, operations, suppliers, and senior leadership to ensure standards are maintained, improved, and embedded throughout the business.

The successful candidate will be able to hit the ground running while taking the time to understand the business, its people, and its processes. This role offers genuine autonomy, broad responsibility, and the chance to make a visible impact within a growing manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all site quality, food safety, and technical activities.
• Manage and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Oversee supplier approval, supplier performance, and supplier compliance programmes.
• Support production and operations teams with technical expertise and problem‑solving.
• Review existing procedures and implement improvements to drive efficiency and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with customer standards, regulatory requirements, and food safety legislation.
• Lead customer, third‑party, and regulatory audits, ensuring successful outcomes.
• Manage non‑conformances, root cause investigations, corrective actions, and preventative measures.
• Drive a positive quality and food safety culture across all departments.
• Monitor site performance through key quality and technical metrics.
• Work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams to identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Act as the key technical contact for customers, suppliers, and external stakeholders.

About You

We are looking for an individual who combines strong technical knowledge with a practical and hands‑on approach.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Technical Manager, Quality Manager, Technical Lead, or similar role within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, quality management systems, HACCP, and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing supplier approval processes and external audits.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, confident approach with the ability to make decisions and influence others.
• Strong problem‑solving and root cause analysis capabilities.
• The flexibility to adapt within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• A desire to take ownership and continuously improve standards, systems, and processes.