Supplier Technical Manager; Maternity Cover Sourcing, Technical & Quality

Office Base: London or Redditch, with a hybrid working pattern and regular collaboration with suppliers and production partners.

Working Hours: Monday to Friday (9am–6pm), Permanent / Full-time

Please note: We're not able to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

As much as 2.5 billion tonnes of food are wasted globally every year – which plays a big part in the climate crisis. We're on a mission to change that, rescuing fruit and veg from hard-working growers, alongside plastic-free ingredients and products from brands doing good for the planet.

With fruit, veg and more delivered right to your door, we're working towards a fairer food system – one where growers are supported and paid fairly, where produce doesn't have to look 'perfect' and, most importantly, a food system where we never waste taste. No more unnecessary air miles or plastic – just delicious food that fights waste with every box.

We're looking for a Supplier Technical Manager to cover a period of maternity leave, so start in August/September.

To improve and maintain the quality standards of the fresh produce and products purchased by Oddbox, working closely with our Buying, Sourcing, Quality and Operations teams, you'll build strong relationships with growers and suppliers to drive quality improvements, strengthen supplier performance and support data-driven sourcing decisions.

This role plays a critical part in ensuring a consistently excellent customer experience by improving supplier standards, reducing intake rejections, strengthening OTIF performance and supporting a resilient, sustainable supply base. You'll act as a trusted technical partner to our suppliers, helping them meet Oddbox standards while continuously improving quality, compliance and sustainability across our supply chain.

• Monitor and analyse product and supplier performance to support data-driven sourcing and buying decisions.
• Investigate and resolve declines in supplier or product performance, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with growers, suppliers and production partners, acting as a trusted technical contact.
• Lead supplier audits, technical assessments and approval processes to ensure compliance with Oddbox standards.
• Manage supplier onboarding, approval, suspension and delisting processes.
• Drive quality improvement initiatives with suppliers, reducing defects, intake rejections and customer complaints.
• Support the delivery of sustainability and carbon reduction plans with strategic suppliers.
• Manage technical packaging requirements, ensuring packaging solutions meet quality, food safety and sustainability standards.
• Lead technical input into new product implementation, product trials and supplier-led innovation projects.
• Support Sourcing, Quality and Technical teams with supplier approval decisions, varietal selection and seasonal sourcing strategies.
• Respond to technical customer queries and support investigations relating to product quality and supplier performance.
  
  Maintain supplier certifications, technical documentation and compliance records.
• Work cross-functionally to improve supplier performance, strengthen OTIF results and enhance customer satisfaction.

• Strong knowledge of BRCGS standards, HACCP principles, food safety systems, UK food standards and certification schemes.
• Skilled in supplier auditing, technical assessments and corrective action management.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical skills with confidence interpreting quality and supplier performance data.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance challenge and support when managing supplier relationships.
• Comfortable working collaboratively across multiple teams and stakeholders.

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Safety, Agriculture or a related discipline.
• Experience with in the fresh produce sector.
• 2–4+ years' experience in a Technical, Supplier Technical, Technologist or Supplier Quality…