Head Of Technical

Head of Technical

Location: Burton-on-Trent
Salary: £70,000 + 5% annual bonus
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

We are recruiting an experienced Head of Technical to join a well-established, high-volume food manufacturing business in Burton-on-Trent.

This is the senior technical leadership position on site, responsible for ensuring all products are safe, legal, authentic and consistently manufactured to the required quality standards. You will lead the Technical, Quality, Compliance and Hygiene functions while working closely with the Site Leadership Team and wider Group Technical function.

This opportunity would suit an experienced Technical Manager, Senior Technical Manager or Head of Technical looking to take ownership of a complex food manufacturing operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the site's technical strategy in line with business, customer and Group requirements.
• Lead the Technical, Quality, Compliance, Specifications and Hygiene functions.
• Own and continuously improve the site's Food Safety & Quality Management System (FSQMS).
• Maintain robust HACCP, VACCP and TACCP systems.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS, UK food legislation, customer standards and industry requirements.
• Act as the primary technical contact for major retail customers, foodservice partners and regulatory bodies.
• Lead and host customer audits, technical visits and third-party certification audits.
• Maintain accurate specifications, customer portals and technical documentation.
• Drive excellent factory standards across GMP, hygiene, allergen control, housekeeping and environmental monitoring.
• Lead investigations into complaints, non-conformances, contamination events and food-safety incidents.
• Ensure effective root-cause analysis and corrective actions are implemented.
• Maintain robust traceability, mass-balance and supplier-assurance processes.
• Support NPD and Commercial teams with trials, concept validation and technical sign-off.
• Oversee raw-material and supplier approval processes.
• Ensure compliance with food-labelling and allergen legislation.
• Lead, coach and develop the site Technical team, including succession planning and performance management.
• Drive technical KPIs including audit performance, complaints, microbiology, GMP and right-first-time quality.
• Present technical performance and risk to senior site and Group leadership.

About You

You will have proven senior technical experience within food manufacturing and be confident operating as the technical authority for a manufacturing site.

Ideally, you will have:

-Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology or a related discipline.
-Proven Technical Management experience within food manufacturing.
-HACCP Level 4.
-Food Safety Level 4
-Strong working knowledge of BRCGS.
-Strong understanding of HACCP, VACCP and TACCP.
-Experience leading customer, regulatory and third-party audits.
-Up-to-date knowledge of UK/EU food-safety legislation, labelling and allergen requirements.
-Experience managing and developing Technical/Quality teams.
-Strong knowledge of QMS and specification systems.
-Excellent customer and stakeholder-management skills.
-Strong leadership and influencing ability.
-A structured and analytical approach to problem solving.
-The ability to remain calm and decisive during audits, incidents or technical challenges.

What's On Offer

£70,000 basic salary
5% annual bonus
Senior site leadership position
Significant autonomy and responsibility
Opportunity to lead and develop Technical, Quality and Hygiene functions
Established international food manufacturing environment
Long-term career development opportunities

If you are an experienced food manufacturing Technical leader looking for your next senior-level opportunity, apply today for a confidential discussion

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