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.

Southampton

£55,000 - £60,000 D.O.E + 5% bonus

Permanent

• 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

• 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