Technical Manager

Smart4 Sciences; Wrexham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Private healthcare

Pension contribution

25 days holiday

Sick pay

Professional development

Job summary

Smart4Sciences is recruiting a Technical Manager for its Cheshire facility to lead the technical function across product development, quality, regulatory compliance and strategic initiatives.

Reporting to the CEO, you will manage a small technical team, engage with customers and suppliers, drive new product development, ensure food safety where applicable, and contribute to the company’s growth and technical strategy.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry with MSc/PhD desirable.
• 10+ years in the chemical industry, manufacturing or formulation.
• 5+ years leading technical teams and managing people.
• Experience in product formulation, R&D and new product introduction.
• Experience with quality control, regulatory compliance and product stewardship.
• Knowledge of HACCP/food safety systems advantageous.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Experience guiding manufacturing operations and process improvement.
• Understanding of UK/EU/international chemical regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical function across product development, quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Drive formulation, development, and commercialisation of new speciality chemical products.
• Manage and develop a small technical team.
• Act as primary technical contact for customers, handling enquiries and investigations.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to meet customer requirements with innovative solutions.
• Maintain relationships with raw material suppliers and external partners.
• Provide technical leadership to manufacturing operations and ensure compliance.
• Oversee food safety and quality systems where applicable.
• Support process validation and operational excellence initiatives.
• Monitor regulatory developments and contribute to strategy as a senior leader.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Product development

Quality systems

Food safety

Stakeholder management

Technical leadership

Chemistry knowledge

Education

Degree in Chemistry

MSc or PhD desirable

Job description

Location: Cheshire

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Salary: £60,000-£70,000 DOE

The Opportunity

Smart4Sciences are working with a growing speciality chemical manufacturer to recruit a Technical Manager for their Cheshire facility.

This is an exciting senior leadership opportunity for an experienced chemist and technical leader to take responsibility for all technical aspects of the business, including product development, formulation, quality, regulatory compliance and technical strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will play a key role in driving innovation, developing customer-focused solutions and supporting the continued growth of the organisation.

The successful candidate will work closely with customers, suppliers, manufacturing and commercial teams, whilst leading a small technical team covering quality control, product development and quality/food safety activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical function across product development, quality, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement activities.
• Drive the formulation, development and commercialisation of new speciality chemical products.
• Manage and develop a small technical team covering quality control, product development and quality management functions.
• Act as the primary technical contact for customers, supporting technical enquiries, complaint investigations and product-related issues.
• Work closely with commercial teams to understand customer requirements and develop innovative solutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with raw material suppliers and external technical partners.
• Provide technical leadership and support to manufacturing operations.
• Ensure products meet quality, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Oversee food safety and quality systems where applicable.
• Support process improvement, validation and operational excellence initiatives.
• Monitor regulatory developments and ensure ongoing compliance across product portfolios.
• Contribute to business strategy and decision-making as a member of the senior leadership team.

Skills & Experience Required

• Degree qualified in Chemistry, with MSc or PhD highly desirable.
• 10+ years' experience within the chemical industry, ideally within manufacturing or formulation environments.
• 5+ years' experience leading technical teams and managing people.
• Proven technical management experience within a chemical manufacturing business.
• Strong background in product formulation, research & development and new product introduction.
• Experience supporting quality control, regulatory compliance and product stewardship activities.
• Experience working directly with customers and suppliers, including technical problem solving and complaint resolution.
• Knowledge of HACCP and food safety systems would be advantageous.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Experience providing technical leadership to manufacturing operations.
• Knowledge of process improvement and validation activities.
• Understanding of UK, EU and international chemical regulations.
• Strong commercial awareness and stakeholder management capability.
• Willingness to travel internationally when required.

Experience within speciality chemicals, emulsions, additives, coatings, lubricants, foam control technologies or related chemical sectors would be highly advantageous.

What's On Offer

• £60,000-£70,000 basic salary depending on experience.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• 10% employer pension contribution with no employee contribution requirement.
• Private healthcare.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Occupational sick pay scheme.
• Ongoing professional and personal development opportunities.
• Opportunity to influence technical strategy, product innovation and future business growth.