Head of Technical

Sigmar Recruitment; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Accommodation assistance

Pension

Wellness programme

Employee discount

Job summary

Sigmar Recruitment is seeking a Head of Technical for its Bantry site in West Cork. The role leads the technical function, sets the quality strategy and drives food safety, compliance and team performance.

You will manage a team of over 20 professionals across QA, Technical Services, Specifications and Hygiene, ensuring audits and certifications are handled effectively and improvements are delivered. This is a senior leadership position in a seafood manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in technical roles with 5+ years in senior leadership.
• Recent management experience in meat or fish industries.
• A degree in a scientific discipline.
• Experience in high-risk food manufacturing, including Listeria control.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP and food safety systems.
• Experience with major retailers and customer technical requirements.
• Multi-site operational experience and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Eligible to work in Republic of Ireland and willing to commute to Bantry or relocate.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of over 20 professionals across Quality Assurance, Technical Services, Specifications and Hygiene.
• Manage and continuously improve the Quality and Food Safety Management Systems, ensuring compliance with BRCGS, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Act as HACCP Team Leader, overseeing HACCP reviews, verification activities and prerequisite programmes.
• Lead customer, regulatory and certification audits, ensuring corrective actions are implemented effectively.
• Manage supplier approvals, customer complaints and non-conforming products with thorough investigations and preventative actions.
• Oversee hygiene standards, product testing and calibration programmes with production and engineering teams.
• Maintain seafood certifications and chain of custody standards including MSC, ASC and GlobalG.A.P.
• Coach and develop your team while promoting a strong food safety culture.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

HACCP experience

BRCGS knowledge

Listeria control

Retailer collaboration

Multi-site leadership

Relocation readiness

Compliance

Meat/Fish industry experience

Education

Science degree

Job description

About Your New Employer

• Join a seafood producer committed to delivering consistent, high-quality products that customers can trust.

• Take ownership of the technical function in a business focused on quality, innovation and continuous improvement.

• Lead an established multidisciplinary team, with a relocation package and accommodation assistance available to support your move to West Cork.

About Your New Job

As Head of Technical, you will lead the technical function at the Bantry site, setting the quality strategy and driving food safety, compliance and team performance.

You will:

• Lead and develop a team of over 20 professionals across Quality Assurance, Technical Services, Specifications and Hygiene.

• Manage and continuously improve the Quality and Food Safety Management Systems, ensuring compliance with BRCGS, regulatory and customer requirements.

• Act as HACCP Team Leader, overseeing HACCP reviews, verification activities and prerequisite programmes.

• Lead customer, regulatory and certification audits, ensuring corrective actions are implemented effectively.

• Manage supplier approval, customer complaints and non-conforming products, driving thorough investigations and preventative actions.

• Oversee hygiene standards, product testing and calibration programmes, working closely with production and engineering teams.

• Maintain relevant seafood certifications and chain of custody standards, including MSC, ASC and Global G.A.P.

• Coach and develop your team while promoting a strong food safety culture across the business.

What Skills You Need

• At least 10 years’ experience in technical roles, including a minimum of five years in senior leadership.

• Recent technical management experience within the meat or fish industry.

• A degree in a scientific discipline.

• Proven experience managing high-risk food manufacturing environments, with expertise in Listeria control and management.

• Strong knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP and food safety management systems.

• Experience working directly with major retailers and managing customer technical requirements.

• Multi-site operational experience and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.

• Current permission to work in the Republic of Ireland and the ability to commute to Bantry or relocate before starting.

What’s on Offer

• Salary of €90,000–€120,000, depending on experience.

• 10% bonus and pension.

• Relocation package and assistance with accommodation.

• Wellness programme and employee discount.

• A senior leadership role with responsibility for shaping the technical function and developing an established team.