Technical Manager

As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, the Technical Manager will lead the site Food Safety, Quality, Technical, Regulatory and Compliance agenda, ensuring products consistently meet Kinisla standards, customer requirements, retailer expectations and all relevant legislative requirements. The role will provide strategic technical leadership, driving a culture of food safety, quality excellence and continuous improvement while supporting the delivery of the site's operational and business objectives.

• Lead the site Technical, Food Safety, Quality and Compliance agenda, ensuring products meet Kinisla standards, customer requirements, retailer codes of practice and legislative obligations.
• Act as a key member of the Site Leadership Team, providing technical expertise, risk management and strategic direction to support business growth, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develop and deliver technical, food safety and quality strategies, objectives, KPIs and improvement programmes aligned to site and business goals.
• Own and maintain the Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with BRCGS, HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, customer standards and all relevant food legislation.
• Lead and manage all customer, retailer, certification, regulatory and corporate audits, ensuring successful outcomes and timely closure of corrective actions.
• Drive investigations into customer complaints, non-conformances and food safety incidents, implementing effective corrective and preventative actions through robust root cause analysis.
• Monitor and report technical performance through KPI analysis, trend reporting and management reviews, identifying opportunities to improve quality, compliance and operational performance.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies and third-party partners while influencing stakeholders across the business to champion food safety, quality and compliance.
• Lead, coach and develop the Technical team, fostering a high-performing culture focused on customer satisfaction, compliance and continuous improvement.

At Kinisla, we understand that people have very different career trajectories and experiences. In order to be successful in this role we would be looking for the right competencies and aptitudes as well as your proven track record of success in a similar role and environment.

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• HACCP Level 4 and Level 4 Food Safety Management for Manufacturing qualifications, with strong working knowledge of food safety and quality systems.
• Proven experience implementing and managing HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, GMP, allergen management, traceability, and food safety compliance programmes.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Technical or Quality Management role within a food manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success leading retailer, customer, BRCGS, third-party, and certification audits, with experience managing technical compliance improvements.
• Strong understanding of major UK retailer technical standards, codes of practice, and auditing requirements.
• Experience managing supplier approval programmes, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance food safety, quality, and operational performance.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence at senior level, develop high-performing teams, and deliver strategic business objectives.

At Kinisla, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference. We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire food and nourish life. We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Health Care
• Matched pension scheme
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers.

Kinisla is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy…