An exciting opportunity has arisen for a commercially minded and highly credible Head of Technical to join a well-established food manufacturing business producing high-quality products for leading retail and foodservice customers.

This is a senior leadership role for an experienced technical professional who can combine rigorous food safety and compliance expertise with strong people leadership and a genuine drive for continuous improvement.

Role Overview

Reporting to the General Manager and working as part of the senior leadership team, you will take ownership of the site’s technical agenda, ensuring the highest standards of food safety, legality, quality and hygiene are consistently delivered across the business. You will act as a key guardian of technical integrity, influencing at all levels to drive best practice, strengthen compliance and support long-term business performance.

This is a visible and influential role, requiring someone who can build trust quickly with internal teams, customers, suppliers and external auditors, while leading the technical function with confidence, pace and clarity.

Key responsibilities

You will:

• Lead the site’s food safety, quality and technical strategy, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, customer requirements and third-party standards.

• Oversee HACCP, due diligence, GMP, hygiene, pest control, labelling, temperature control and microbiological standards across the operation.

• Lead preparation for and management of external audits, including major retailer and certification audits.

• Manage customer technical relationships, supporting quality plans, KPIs and issue resolution.

• Oversee supplier quality, technical reporting and the on-site laboratory function.

• Support and develop the technical team through coaching, objective setting and performance management.

• Work cross-functionally to support new product development, continuous improvement and cost reduction initiatives without compromising technical standards.

• Monitor legislative and industry developments, ensuring the business remains ahead of change and aligned to current best practice.

Skills & Experience

We are looking for a seasoned technical leader with a strong track record in food manufacturing and a background that demonstrates both technical depth and people leadership. You will be comfortable operating at senior level, influencing stakeholders, and setting a clear technical vision that others want to follow.

You will likely bring:

• Degree-level qualification in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Safety or a related discipline.

• Significant senior technical management experience within food manufacturing.

• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, food safety systems, quality standards and external audit requirements.

• Proven experience leading, developing and motivating technical teams.

• Confidence in customer communication, supplier management and dealing with enforcement authorities.

• A practical, commercial mindset with the ability to balance compliance, efficiency and business improvement.

This is a great opportunity to join a stable and forward-thinking business where technical leadership is valued at the highest level. You’ll have the scope to shape standards, influence culture and make a real impact on both product quality and business performance.

The role would suit an ambitious technical professional seeking a senior appointment with genuine ownership, visibility and the chance to contribute to the future direction of the business.

Please get in touch for more information on this exciting opportunity or apply today with your CV.