Head of Technical

Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner; Cork; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Protea Recruitment is partnering with an established food manufacturing business in West Cork to recruit an experienced Group Head of Technical.

This senior leadership role oversees Technical, Quality, Food Safety and Hygiene across multiple sites, and leads a team of 20+ professionals to ensure best-in-class product quality and regulatory compliance.

You will drive technical strategy, continuous improvement, and strong food-safety culture in partnership with Operations and senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' experience in Technical/Quality/Food Safety within food manufacturing.
• At least 5 years in a senior technical leadership or management role.
• Proven experience operating across multi-site manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership of Technical and Quality across multiple sites.
• Lead and mentor a team of 20+ professionals in technical, quality, specifications and hygiene.
• Develop and implement technical strategies focused on product quality and compliance.
• Drive food safety culture and oversee HACCP and food safety systems improvements.
• Coordinate with Operations and senior management to enhance site performance and continuous improvement.
• Oversee audits, certifications (BRCGS) and retailer standards.

Skills

Leadership

HACCP

BRCGS

Listeria control

Quality systems

Education

Degree in Food Science

Master’s or PhD in a relevant discipline

Job description

Protea Recruitment is partnering with an established food manufacturing business in West Cork to recruit an experienced Group Head of Technical.

This is a senior leadership opportunity with responsibility for overseeing Technical, Quality, Food Safety and Hygiene functions across multiple manufacturing sites.

The successful candidate will lead a team of over 20 professionals across Technical, Quality Assurance, Specifications and Hygiene, ensuring the highest standards of food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction.

Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will play a key role in shaping technical strategy, developing high-performing teams and driving continuous improvement across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic and operational leadership of the Technical and Quality functions across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Lead, develop and mentor a team of 20+ technical, quality, specifications and hygiene professionals.
• Develop and implement technical strategies focused on product quality, compliance and continuous improvement.
• Promote a strong food safety and quality culture throughout the organisation.
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Production and senior management to drive site performance.
• Lead change management initiatives and improvements to technical processes and systems.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Oversee Food Safety Management Systems, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, industry standards and customer requirements.
• Act as HACCP Team Leader, maintaining and continuously improving HACCP systems.
• Lead the development and implementation of food safety culture initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership in high-risk food manufacturing environments, with particular emphasis on Listeria control and management.
• Oversee supplier approval, product testing, traceability and non-conformance management.
• Ensure compliance with relevant certification and Chain of Custody standards.

Audits & Retailer Management

• Take overall responsibility for BRCGS certification and customer-specific technical standards.
• Lead and coordinate external audits, regulatory inspections and retailer visits.
• Build and maintain strong technical relationships with major UK and Irish retailers.
• Oversee internal audit programmes, corrective actions and continuous improvement plans.
• Ensure effective management of customer complaints, investigations and root cause analysis.

Operational Excellence & Hygiene

• Provide leadership and oversight of hygiene operations across multiple sites.
• Ensure effective cleaning, sanitation and environmental monitoring programmes.
• Drive improvements in hygiene standards, food safety performance and operational efficiency.
• Work alongside Engineering and Production to ensure equipment maintenance, calibration and operational standards are maintained.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen systems, improve performance and reduce operational risk.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' experience within Technical, Quality or Food Safety functions in food manufacturing.
• At least 5 years' experience in a senior technical leadership or management position.
• Degree in Food Science, Microbiology or another relevant scientific discipline.
• Proven experience operating within high-risk food manufacturing environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of Listeria control, environmental monitoring and food safety management.
• Experience working with major UK and/or Irish retailers.
• Experience managing technical functions across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Strong working knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, food safety legislation and retailer standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and motivate large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Experience working directly with Marks & Spencer (M&S).
• Experience leading technical improvement or recovery programmes.
• Proven change management and business transformation experience.
• Experience managing technical functions within complex, multi-site manufacturing operations.

What's on Offer?

• Senior leadership position with significant influence across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Opportunity to lead and develop an established technical team.
• Direct involvement in technical strategy, operational improvements and business development.
• Opportunity to make a measurable impact on food safety, quality standards and organisational performance.
• Competitive remuneration package reflective of experience and responsibility.
• Opportunity to join an established and ambitious food manufacturing business.