Technical Manager

Morgan McKinley; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan McKinley is recruiting on behalf of a major food manufacturing business for a Lead Quality Excellence role in West Cork. You will head the Quality and Technical function, driving food safety, legality and customer compliance across a large operation.

Working with Production, NPD, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams, you will foster continuous improvement and audit readiness, supporting operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Senior Technical/Quality leadership experience in food manufacturing.
• Chilled food manufacturing experience is essential.
• Proven track record leading large Quality teams.
• Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or Quality Management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site's Quality and Technical function to ensure safety and quality.
• Drive quality performance with Production, NPD, Supply Chain and Commercial teams.
• Maintain and improve Quality Management Systems to retailer standards.
• Lead audits and ensure effective corrective actions.
• Oversee internal audits, non-conformance investigations and RCA.
• Provide technical leadership to support strategic objectives.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Audits

Continuous improvement

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Food Science / Microbiology / Quality Management

Job description

Lead Quality Excellence in a Fast-Paced Manufacturing Environment

We are recruiting on behalf of a highly successful food manufacturing business supplying a diverse product portfolio to major retail customers. This is a pivotal leadership role within a large, complex operation where quality, food safety and continuous improvement are fundamental to success.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced Technical or Quality leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys developing high-performing teams. Chilled food manufacturing experience is essential.

The Role

As Technical Manager, you will lead the site's Quality and Technical function, ensuring the highest standards of food safety, legality, quality and customer compliance are consistently achieved.

Working closely with Production, NPD, Supply Chain and Commercial teams, you will drive quality performance across the business while supporting operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and inspire a large Quality and Technical team.
• Drive food safety, quality and compliance standards across the site.
• Maintain and improve Quality Management Systems in line with retailer, customer and regulatory requirements.
• Lead customer, third-party and regulatory audits, ensuring successful outcomes and effective corrective actions.
• Oversee internal audits, non-conformance investigations and root cause analysis.
• Manage supplier approval and compliance processes.
• Provide technical leadership across the business, supporting both operational and strategic objectives.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality, compliance and site performance.

About You

• Significant experience in a senior Technical, Quality or Food Safety leadership role within food manufacturing.
• Chilled food manufacturing experience is essential.
• Proven success leading and developing large Quality teams.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety systems, legislation and retailer standards.
• Experience managing customer, certification and regulatory audits.
• A proactive, hands‑on leader with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Degree qualified in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Management or a related discipline.

This role is based in West Cork and is fully onsite