Technical Strategy Leader for Growth & Sustainability

Redfox Executive; West Stow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Redfox Executive is seeking a Head of Technical to lead a fast-growing, sustainability-driven food business from Bury St Edmunds. You will own the technical strategy, ensuring food safety, quality, legality and ethical sourcing underpin every product.

You will lead supplier governance and cross-category technical governance across fresh produce, dairy, meat, fish, bakery and ambient ranges, building a high-performing technical team and driving supplier performance improvements.

Qualifications

• Significant senior technical leadership experience within food manufacturing, retail, foodservice or a major food supply business.
• Strong fresh produce knowledge, complemented by experience across at least two additional categories such as dairy, meat, fish or bakery.
• Excellent understanding of UK food legislation, BRC standards, HACCP and food safety management systems.
• Proven experience managing supplier assurance, technical audits, third-party manufacturers and co-packers.
• Experience building or developing technical functions within growing or changing businesses.
• A strong track record of leading, mentoring and developing technical teams.
• Experience supporting NPD, own-brand products and consumer-focused food businesses.
• A relevant food science or food technology qualification, together with HACCP Level 3 or above.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering a technical strategy that supports ambitious business growth and product diversification.
• Leading food safety, quality assurance, technical compliance and accreditation across multiple food categories.
• Establishing robust technical governance, supplier approval processes, specifications and risk management systems.
• Building strong technical relationships with growers, manufacturers, suppliers and third-party co-packers.
• Driving continuous improvements in product quality, customer satisfaction and supplier performance.
• Supporting new product development and ensuring the safe introduction of new categories and products.
• Leading technical sustainability initiatives, including ethical sourcing, packaging improvements, carbon reduction and B Corp commitments.
• Developing and inspiring a high-performing Technical team, creating the systems and capabilities needed for future growth.
• Ensuring effective traceability, product recall procedures and regulatory compliance across the supply chain.

Skills

Senior technical leadership

Fresh produce knowledge

Commercial thinking

Strategic technical governance

Supplier relationship management

Mentoring & team development

NPD & own-brand support

Education

Food science / food technology qualification

HACCP Level 3 or above

Job description

Redfox Executive is seeking a Head of Technical to lead a fast-growing, sustainability-driven food business from Bury St Edmunds. You will own the technical strategy, ensuring food safety, quality, legality and ethical sourcing underpin every product.

You will lead supplier governance and cross-category technical governance across fresh produce, dairy, meat, fish, bakery and ambient ranges, building a high-performing technical team and driving supplier performance improvements.