A leading food-to-go manufacturer seeks a strategic technical leader to oversee food safety, quality, and sustainability in a high-care production environment. This role offers autonomy to shape technical strategy within a rapidly expanding business targeting €100m turnover by 2030.?

Role Summary

Join a dynamic senior leadership team at a chilled food manufacturer with €65m turnover and 430 employees, supplying branded and private-label products.

Drive food safety culture, regulatory compliance, and sustainability initiatives like carbon reduction and ethical sourcing.

Build customer trust through excellence in audits and technical partnerships.?

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Managing Director

• Direct reports: Technical Services Manager, Hygiene Manager, Compliance Manager, New Product Introduction Manager

• Key stakeholders: Operations, Commercial, HR, Finance Directors; group technical/sustainability leads; regulators, customers, suppliers?

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Strategy
• Develop technical and sustainability strategies aligned with business growth. Lead teams in quality assurance, compliance, and innovation; champion food safety culture with KPIs and root-cause analysis. Mentor talent, represent the company in audits, and share best practices across sites.?
• Food Safety and Compliance
• Maintain HACCP, BRCGS, and regulatory standards (ROI/UK/international). Oversee risk management, incident response, and adaptation to legislative changes. Ensure robust systems for legality and safety in high-risk chilled products.?
• Quality Assurance
• Monitor supplier performance for raw material quality. Drive continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, and KPIs for product consistency. Implement corrective actions to meet retailer and consumer expectations.?
• Innovation and Development
• Support new product development (NPD) for technical feasibility. Evaluate technologies to enhance safety and efficiency. Collaborate across R&D, production, and commercial teams.?
• Customer and Supplier Management
• Act as technical lead for key accounts, fostering best-in-class partnerships. Manage supplier approvals and performance to ensure supply chain integrity.?
• Sustainability
• Lead site initiatives on carbon/climate, sourcing, and wellbeing. Track KPIs, report progress, and collaborate with group teams on cross-category plans.?

Qualifications and Experience

Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or equivalent required. Proven senior technical leadership in fast-paced chilled food manufacturing, with multi-site experience, HACCP Level 4 (preferred), and deep knowledge of BRCGS, retailer codes, and audits.?

Key Competencies

Strategic thinker with hands-on leadership, strong communication, and influencing skills.

Passion for food safety, problem-solving, team development, and commercial awareness.

Flexible, MS Office proficient, and fluent in English.

Apply with your CV today or contact us for more information about this excellent opportunity in the food manufacturing sector.