Technical Manager - Food Manufacturing

As the Technical and Quality Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring the business remains compliant with current legislation and meets all customer requirements. You'll be instrumental in maintaining and enhancing the quality systems, obtaining BRC, examining risk and performing corrective actions, while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.

Client Details

Based in Oxfordshire, my client is a growing food manufacturer that produces its own brand, available in major UK retailers nationwide. They are expanding and seeking an experienced, hands-on Technical Manager to lead the Quality, Food Safety, and Technical departments. In this role, you'll play a pivotal part in building the team and preparing for their first BRC audit.

Description

• Design, implement, maintain, and improve the HACCP-based Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with BRC, SALSA, industry best practices, and legislative requirements.

• Review and enhance existing quality management policies and systems.

• Lead new product/process introductions, including specifications, product info, and proofing.

• Monitor factory hygiene, cleanliness, and housekeeping through floor audits and action plans for non-conformances.

• Manage corrective actions for non-conforming products, ingredients, and returns, ensuring quick resolution.

• Provide technical guidance, training, and support to other departments to raise technical awareness.

• Drive product, process, and environmental improvements to meet customer and legislative standards, tracking progress against KPIs.

• Report daily to the operations team, supporting problem-solving and continuous improvement.

• Liaise with customers/statutory bodies during audits, implementing corrective actions and compiling response reports.

• Manage serious incidents, corrective actions, and preventive measures.

• Lead crisis management testing and water quality management.

• Actively seek to minimize environmental impact by reducing waste and promoting recycling.

• Measure performance against internal/external standards (e.g., BRC, HACCP), and lead the HACCP team to maintain compliance with HACCP/TACCP/VACCP systems.

Profile

• Bachelor's degree strongly preferred

• 5+ years of experience in Technical/Quality roles within food manufacturing

• Extensive BRC audit experience; ideally with experience establishing BRC standards from the ground up

• HACCP certification required

• Comfortable working independently and in a lean, dynamic environment

• Hands-on, with 60-70% of time spent on the factory floor

• Must be able to commute to the Wallingford area (own vehicle and valid UK driving licence required)

• Proven experience in continuous improvement and a strong operational/business mindset

• Adaptable, collaborative team player, with a passion for building and developing processes from scratch

Job Offer

• Competitive salary

• 25+ days holiday, birthday off, plus bank holidays

• Autonomy to shape and create your own impact

• Opportunities for professional growth and development