Technical Manager – Fresh Produce

Role:
Technical Manager | Salary: £60,000 |

Location:

East London / Kent | Monday–Friday

Are you an experienced Technical or Quality professional with a strong background in Fresh Produce
?

Our client is an established fresh produce business looking for a technically focused individual to join their team, supporting the Head of Technical across customer specifications, food safety, quality, compliance and technical standards.

This is a varied role offering significant exposure to retail customers, suppliers, quality systems and technical compliance
, with responsibility for ensuring products and processes consistently meet customer, legal and industry requirements.

You will work closely with the Head of Technical, Commercial, Procurement and Quality teams
, playing an important role in maintaining high standards across the business.

• Technical & Customer Support: Support the Head of Technical with customer requirements, product specifications and technical queries.
• Product Specifications: Manage and maintain accurate product and customer specifications, ensuring all information remains current and compliant.
• Customer Platforms: Maintain customer technical platforms, supplier approvals, due diligence information and associated documentation.
• Complaints & Non-Conformances: Investigate customer complaints and product rejections, implement corrective actions and maintain accurate records of internal non-conformances.
• Food Safety & Quality: Support the business in maintaining high standards of food safety, food quality, legality and product authenticity.
• Auditing: Conduct internal audits and manage the issuing, closing and tracking of non-conformances.
• BRCGS & Compliance: Maintain systems and procedures in line with BRCGS, Red Tractor and relevant customer standards
  .
• Supplier Management: Work closely with third-party suppliers and technical teams, including supporting supplier visits and technical assessments.
• Labelling & Product Compliance: Manage label approvals and ensure product information meets customer and legislative requirements.
• Technical Documentation: Maintain technical documentation, policies and procedures, ensuring information is accurate and up to date.
• Training: Identify technical and food safety training requirements and maintain accurate training records.
• HACCP: Act as a key member of the site HACCP team, helping to maintain and develop the site’s food safety culture.

• Industry
  
  Experience:
  
  Previous experience within Fresh Produce is essential, ideally across fruit and vegetables.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of Food Safety, Food Quality, QMS, BRCGS and HACCP Level 3.
• Retail
  
  Experience:
  
  Experience working with major retail customers and an understanding of their technical requirements.
• Customer Focus: Confident managing customer complaints, specifications and technical requirements.
• Analytical Approach: Strong attention to detail with the ability to analyse information, identify risks and implement corrective actions.
• Organisation: Highly organised and methodical, with the ability to prioritise effectively within a time-critical environment.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to work across multiple departments.
• IT
  
  Skills:
  
  Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Teamwork: A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively as part of a fast-paced technical team.
• Additional: Spanish language skills would be desirable, alongside a full UK driving licence.

• Fresh Produce: Work within a specialist fresh produce environment where technical, quality and food safety standards are critical to the operation.
• Customer Exposure: Gain significant exposure to retail customers, suppliers and customer technical platforms.
• Responsibility: Play a key role in maintaining food safety, product quality, compliance and customer standards across the business.
• Variety: A broad technical position covering quality, food safety, auditing, specifications, customer requirements, supplier management and compliance
  .
• Development: Work closely with the Head of Technical and wider senior team, providing an excellent opportunity to develop your technical career.
• Impact: Make a direct contribution to maintaining high technical standards and ensuring the business remains compliant with customer, industry and legislative requirements.