Technical Manager - Fresh Produce

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

Location:

East London / Kent | Monday–Friday

The Opportunity

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.

Key Responsibilities

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.

What You’ll Bring

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.

Why Apply?

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