Technical Manager

Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner; Bantry; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Technical Manager – Food Manufacturing in Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland, is a full-time, permanent role leading the QA function and driving food safety, quality and technical standards across the operation.

Responsibilities include leading audits, maintaining quality systems, and working with Production, Sales and Innovation to meet regulatory, customer and certification requirements. The ideal candidate has a strong background in Quality/Technical leadership within food manufacturing and experience

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in Quality/Technical management within food manufacturing.
• Strong HACCP and regulatory compliance knowledge.
• Experience with BRCGS or other recognised food safety standards.
• Experience leading QA/Technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site Quality Assurance team and ensure appropriate staffing and development.
• Embed a strong food safety culture across the site.
• Maintain and improve food safety/quality management systems.
• Ensure compliance with Irish and EU food legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Lead internal audits and ensure CAPAs are implemented effectively.
• Act as technical lead during audits, visits and third-party assessments.
• Implement and maintain technical standards across manufacturing operations.
• Collaborate with Production, Sales and Innovation on supplier quality and product requirements.
• Support supplier approval, monitoring and performance management.
• Monitor regulatory and industry developments to stay compliant.
• Identify opportunities to improve technical performance and processes.
• Support troubleshooting and introduction of new technologies and processes.
• Coach and develop the QA/Technical team to drive high standards.

Skills

Quality leadership

Food safety

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology

Job description

Technical Manager – Food Manufacturing

Location: Bantry, Co. Cork

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Technical Manager to join a well-established food manufacturing operation in Bantry.

This is a key site leadership position with responsibility for driving food safety, quality and technical standards across the operation. The successful candidate will lead the QA function, maintain robust food safety systems and work closely with Production, Sales and Innovation to ensure the site consistently meets regulatory, customer and certification requirements.

The role would suit an experienced Quality or Technical professional who enjoys being close to the operation, leading a team and continuously improving standards within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, organise and develop the site Quality Assurance team, ensuring the function is appropriately staffed, trained and supported.
• Promote and embed a strong food safety and quality culture throughout the site.
• Maintain, develop and continuously improve the site's food safety and quality management systems.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Irish and EU food legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Lead internal audits and ensure corrective and preventative actions are implemented effectively.
• Act as the technical lead during customer audits, technical visits and third-party assessments.
• Implement and maintain technical standards across the manufacturing operation.
• Work closely with Production, Sales and Innovation teams on supplier quality, compliance and product requirements.
• Support supplier approval, monitoring and ongoing performance management.
• Monitor regulatory, industry and food safety developments, ensuring the business remains informed and compliant.
• Identify opportunities to improve technical performance, processes and ways of working.
• Support troubleshooting and the introduction of appropriate new technologies and processes.
• Coach, develop and motivate the team to drive high standards and continuous improvement.

About You

We are looking for an experienced food manufacturing professional with a strong background in Quality, Technical and Food Safety.

Ideally, you will have:

• A qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or another relevant scientific discipline.
• At least 3 years' experience in a Quality or Technical management position within food manufacturing.
• Strong experience leading and developing a QA/Technical team.
• Good working knowledge of HACCP, food safety systems and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working with BRCGS and/or other recognised food safety standards.
• Knowledge of IFS and Organic standards would be advantageous.
• A strong understanding of food manufacturing and processing environments.
• Experience supporting or leading customer and third-party audits.
• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement skills.
• The ability to work cross-functionally with Production, Commercial, Innovation and other departments.
• A practical, hands-on approach with the confidence to influence at all levels of the business.