Technical Manager

We're partnering with an innovative food manufacturer looking for an experienced Technical Manager to lead the site's Food Safety, Quality, Legality, Authenticity, and Compliance agenda. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking business where you'll influence technical strategy, champion continuous improvement, and play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional products to some of the UK's leading retailers.

Technical Manager

Southampton

£55,000 - £60,000 D.O.E + 5% bonus

Permanent

What You'll Be Doing:

Lead the site's Technical, Quality Assurance, and Process teams, embedding a culture of food safety, quality excellence, and continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation
Own and continuously enhance the site's Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring full compliance with BRCGS, UK Food Law, customer Codes of Practice, and retailer standards
Chair and manage HACCP, TACCP, and VACCP programmes, overseeing allergen management, traceability, food defence, authenticity, hygiene, and foreign body prevention systems
Lead customer, retailer, third-party, and certification audits, driving audit readiness and implementing robust corrective and preventative actions
Act as the primary technical contact for customers, suppliers, and external stakeholders, leading technical reviews, product launches, complaint reduction initiatives, and first production approvals
Provide technical leadership throughout the product lifecycle, supporting NPD, process optimisation, risk assessments, factory trials, and continuous manufacturing improvements
Monitor and analyse Technical KPIs including customer complaints, audit performance, Right First Time, GMP compliance, supplier performance, and Cost of Quality, implementing data-driven improvement strategies
Develop, coach, and inspire the Technical and QA teams while collaborating with Production, Engineering, Procurement, and Commercial functions to deliver operational excellence and protect product integrity

What We're Looking For:

Proven Technical Management or Senior Quality leadership experience within a BRC-certified food manufacturing environment
Extensive knowledge of HACCP, allergen management, traceability, UK Food Law, retailer standards, and Quality Management Systems
Demonstrable experience leading customer, retailer, and third-party audits, with a strong track record of delivering continuous improvement and food safety excellence
Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience working closely with major UK retailers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams
Own transport and full UK working rights (no sponsorship or visas available)

If you're ready to take ownership of a site's technical strategy, influence business performance, and lead a high-performing technical function within a progressive food manufacturing business, we'd love to hear from you