Head of Technical

Head of Technicalð Scotland ð Senior Leadership Team Position Competitive salary + Car/allowance + strong pension contribution + bonus We are working in partnership with a leading UK food manufacturing business to appoint a Head of Technical for a large, complex, multi-customer manufacturing site.

This is a pivotal senior leadership appointment offering full accountability for food safety, legality, quality, and compliance across a high-volume operation supplying major UK retailers and food service customers.

The business operates at significant scale and has a strong reputation for technical excellence, audit performance, and continuous improvement.ð The Opportunity As Head of Technical, you will take ownership of the entire technical agenda for the site. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will sit on the Senior Leadership Team and play a key role in shaping site strategy, performance, and culture.

You will act as the site’s technical authority, leading audits, maintaining retailer relationships, and ensuring the business consistently achieves the highest BRC and customer standards.

This role will suit a confident, credible technical leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys driving structure, standards, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities Technical and Regulatory Leadership Maintain AA
* BRC site standard

Lead preparation for and represent the site during all third-party and retailer audits

Ensure full compliance with retailer standards

Oversee implementation and continuous development of food safety and quality systems

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory and emerging industry risks

Quality and Performance Management Drive improvements in customer complaints, non-conformance, and incident response

Ensure robust root cause analysis and effective corrective actions

Lead KPI reporting across compliance, traceability, and quality metrics

Champion a quality-first culture across all departments

Team and Stakeholder Leadership Lead and develop the Technical and Quality teams

Manage direct reports including senior technical managers and coordinators

Act as the primary technical contact for major UK retail customers

Build strong relationships with customers and external auditors

Operational and Strategic Support Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Commercial, and NPD teams

Support safe and compliant product innovation

Contribute to waste reduction, process improvement, and sustainability initiatives

Influence site strategy as a core member of the Senior Leadership Teamð About You You are an experienced senior technical professional with strong retailer exposure and the presence to operate effectively at senior leadership level.

You understand what good looks like in a regulated food manufacturing environment and can balance technical rigour with commercial awareness.

You are:

Strategic yet hands-onCalm under pressure

Commercially aware and solutions-focusedA strong leader who develops and retains high-performing teams

Comfortable with accountability and visibility Skills and Experience Required Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Food Technology, or related discipline

Minimum five years’ experience in a senior technical or quality leadership role within food manufacturing

Extensive auditing experience including BRCGS, HACCP, TACCP and VACCPStrong working knowledge of major UK retailer technical requirementsHACCP and Food Safety qualifications minimum Level 3, Level 4 desirable

Proven experience managing customer technical relationshipsð Why Apply This is a genuine opportunity to:

Take full technical ownership of a large, complex manufacturing site Influence site strategy at Senior Leadership level

Lead and shape technical culture and standards

Work with major UK retail customers

Make a visible and measurable impact

If you are a driven, credible Head of Technical looking for your next senior leadership challenge within UK food manufacturing, we would welcome a confidential discussion.

Discipline(s):
Food & Drink Job type:
Permanent