Technical Manager - Maternity Cover

Freixenet Copestick Limited; Newbury; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Enhanced pension

Hybrid working (3 days in Newbury)

28 days holiday incl. birthday

Enhanced parental leave

Life assurance

Employee assistance programme

Staff discounts

Job summary

Freixenet Copestick Limited is hiring a Technical Manager (12 month maternity cover) to lead technical, quality and master data across the UK business. The role focuses on food safety, legality, authenticity and sustainability while maintaining BRCGS certification.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage audits, supplier performance and a team of 5, with hybrid working at Newbury office.

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG, food or wine manufacturing in a technical/quality role.
• Detailed understanding of BRCGS Agents & Brokers (essential).
• HACCP Level 3 and Food Safety Level 3 certified; TACCP & VACCP desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical activities ensuring food safety, quality, legality and authenticity across the UK.
• Own and maintain BRCGS certification and ensure ongoing compliance across departments.
• Act as HACCP team leader and maintain robust food safety processes.
• Develop and drive UK technical and quality strategy with continuous improvement.
• Oversee compliance management including labelling and audit readiness.
• Manage supplier performance and partner winery relationships.
• Lead internal and external audits and non-conformance reviews.
• Oversee product specs, wine processes and packaging compliance.
• Support NPD projects and ensure technical requirements for launches.

Skills

FMCG experience

BRCGS knowledge

HACCP Level 3

Food Safety Level 3

TACCP & VACCP

Project management

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Data analysis

Tools

SAP

Product data platforms

Job description

We’re hiring a Technical Manager (12 month maternity cover) to join our team! This is a fantastic opportunity to lead technical, sustainability and master data across our UK business, ensuring food safety, quality, legality and authenticity while driving continuous improvement and maintaining BRCGS certification. BRCGS knowledge and experience will be essential, as you’ll take ownership of technical strategy, audits, supplier performance and team leadership.

Freixenet Copestick Ltd are a major player in the UK drinks market and we’re proud to be the UK’s leading supplier of sparkling wines. In this role, you’ll work cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners to deliver best-in-class technical standards and support the wider business.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead all technical activities ensuring food safety, quality, legality and authenticity across the UK business
• Own and maintain BRCGS Agents & Brokers certification, ensuring ongoing compliance across all departments
• Act as HACCP team leader, ensuring all food safety processes are robust and adhered to
• Develop and drive the UK technical and quality strategy, delivering continuous improvement
• Oversee compliance management including labelling, legal requirements and audit readiness
• Manage supplier performance, working closely with partner wineries and third-party suppliers
• Lead internal and external audit programmes, including non-conformance reviews and quality panels
• Oversee product specifications, bulk wine processes and packaging compliance
• Support NPD projects, ensuring all technical requirements are met for new product launches
• Lead incident management processes, including mock recalls and issue resolution
• Drive sustainability initiatives and manage customer technical requests
• Manage technical data systems including SAP and product data platforms
• Manage and lead a team of 5

What we’re looking for:

• Strong experience in FMCG, food or wine manufacturing within a technical or quality role
• Detailed understanding of BRCGS Agents & Brokers (essential)
• HACCP Level 3 and Food Safety Level 3 certified
• TACCP & VACCP certification
• Experience working with major retailers and understanding their technical requirements
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• Analytical mindset with a methodical approach to data and processes
• Advanced Excel skills (e.g. pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data analysis)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive continuous improvement
• Knowledge of wine or a scientific background (desirable)

What we offer:

• Performance-related bonus
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Hybrid working (3 days a week in our Newbury office)
• 25 days annual leave + birthday day off + option to buy/sell leave
• Enhanced parental leave
• Life assurance & income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous staff discounts across our portfolio

We welcome applications from candidates who do not meet 100% of the requirements.