Head of Technical & Quality Mandarin Speaking

Head of Technical & Quality (UK) – Mandarin Speaking

Location:

Kent | Permanent | Full Time | On‑site with occasional international travel

Salary:
Competitive, fully negotiable

Our client is a well‑established UK food importer supplying major retail and food service customers. With integrated operations across the UK, Europe and China, the business is known for its strong global supply chain, robust quality standards, and deep capability in protein, poultry and added‑value food categories. The company partners closely with overseas factories and is committed to delivering safe, high‑quality products that meet stringent UK supermarket requirements.

Due to a business growth, the vacancy became available for a Head of Technical & Quality (UK) – a pivotal, hands‑on leadership role overseeing the UK technical function. This position ensures full compliance with UK retailer standards while acting as the technical bridge between the UK business, European teams, Chinese offices and manufacturing partners.

This role suits technical professionals from food manufacturing, food import, supply chain, supplier management or broker environments who are confident working across complex global operations. Experience with in poultry, meat or other protein categories would be highly desirable.

• Lead and develop the UK technical & quality function
• Ensure compliance with UK & EU food safety legislation and major retailer standards
• Own retailer product specifications, artwork approvals and technical documentation
• Manage day‑to‑day technical queries from retail and food service customers
• Maintain HACCP, allergen management, traceability and recall procedures
• Communicate directly in Mandarin with Chinese factories on quality and compliance
• Support supplier audits, corrective action plans and continuous improvement
• Work collaboratively with supply chain, NPD and commercial teams across the UK, Europe and China

• Proven background in Technical or Quality within food manufacturing or food import
• Direct experience with UK supermarket technical systems – essential
• Fluent Mandarin Chinese & English (spoken and written) – essential
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, UK retailer specification platforms
• Comfortable communicating with overseas factories and global teams
• Experience in poultry or protein categories (desirable)
• Supplier audit or customer audit experience
• Previous responsibility for leading or owning a technical function is beneficial