Technical & Operational Excellence Manager

Müller UK & Ireland; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company in the UK is seeking a Technical & Operational Excellence Manager to drive quality and safety across its operations. This role involves leading investigations into non-conformances, managing compliance with food safety standards, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Food Science or similar, experience in FMCG, and strong problem-solving skills. This position offers competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary and bonus scheme

Company car or car allowance

Generous holiday entitlement

Pension scheme with company contributions

Private healthcare options

Professional development and training opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Dairy Science, or related field.
• Experience in a senior technical or quality role within FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards (BRCGS, HACCP, ISO 22000).
• Advanced problem-solving and continuous improvement skills.
• Excellent communicator and influencer.
• Highly analytical, resilient, and collaborative.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into repeat non-conformances.
• Develop a network-wide non-conformance matrix.
• Ensure effective validation and verification programs.
• Drive corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).
• Coach site technical teams to build RCA capability.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
• Report performance against KPIs.

Skills

Food safety standards knowledge

Advanced problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills

Analytical skills

Collaborative skills

Education

Degree in Food Science

Degree in Microbiology

Degree in Dairy Science

Tools

5 Whys

Fishbone

DMAIC

Job description

Technical & Operational Excellence Manager

Location: Field-Based (Minimum 3 Days On-Site Weekly)
Function: Technical & Quality
Reports To: Head of Technical & Quality
Travel: Up to 70% across manufacturing sites

Are you passionate about driving quality, safety, and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations?

Join Müller as a Technical & Operational Excellence Manager and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of food safety and product quality across our network of sites.

About the Role

This is a high-impact, cross‑functional role focused on eliminating repeat food safety and quality issues. You'll lead root cause investigations, coach site teams, and embed a culture of technical excellence and proactive problem‑solving. Acting as a central technical expert, you'll influence standards, drive compliance, and support continuous improvement across the business.

Key Responsibilities as Technical & Operational Excellence Manager:

• Lead structured investigations into repeat non‑conformances using tools like 5 Whys, Fishbone, and DMAIC.
• Develop and manage a network‑wide non‑conformance matrix and trend analysis.
• Ensure robust validation and verification programs are in place and effective.
• Drive corrective and preventative actions (CAPA) and verify their long‑term success.
• Coach and challenge site technical teams to build RCA capability and audit readiness.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, NPD, and Supply Chain to embed technical excellence.
• Report performance against KPIs and elevate strategic risks to senior leadership.

What We're Looking For:

• Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Dairy Science, or related field.
• Experience in a senior technical or quality role within FMCG (preferably dairy or chilled food).
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards (BRCGS, HACCP, ISO 22000).
• Advanced problem‑solving and continuous improvement skills (Lean Six Sigma preferred).
• Excellent communicator and influencer, able to lead without direct authority.
• Highly analytical, resilient, and collaborative.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme.
• Company car or car allowance.
• Generous holiday entitlement.
• Pension scheme with company contributions.
• Private healthcare options.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Safe, modern working environments with state‑of‑the‑art equipment.
• Supportive culture focused on growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Long‑term career opportunities with a market‑leading brand.

Ready to make a difference?

Apply now and help us deliver safe, high‑quality products, right first time, every time.

#pinksquid

Contact Details:
F.A.O. UK Recruitment, Müller UK & Ireland, Shrewsbury Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3SQ