Group Head of Technical Operations

Overview

Group Head of Technical Operations Zertus UK & Ireland | Based at any of our UK manufacturing locations with regular travel across all UK & Ireland sites (Heckington, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Fakenham, Bromborough and Navan, Ireland)

Are you an experienced Technical leader looking for an opportunity to shape the future of food safety, quality and technical excellence across a growing multi-site food manufacturing group?

At Zertus UK & Ireland, we're home to some of the UK's best-loved confectionery and snacking brands and we're looking for a Group Head of Technical Operations to lead and develop our technical function across five manufacturing sites, driving consistency, standardisation and continuous improvement across the business.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing manufacturing group with ambitious plans for growth and operational excellence. Reporting to the Technical Director, you'll provide leadership to all Site Technical Managers and their teams, ensuring world-class standards in food safety, quality, compliance and customer satisfaction across our UK & Ireland operations.

You'll work closely with senior stakeholders to champion best practice, lead technical transformation programmes, strengthen customer relationships and create a culture of continuous improvement across a cluster of high-achieving manufacturing sites. This role would particularly suit someone who has experience within confectionery and/or snacking during their career, whilst bringing broader food manufacturing category expertise and a passion for driving improvement at pace.

Position Type: Permanent, Full TimeLocation: Site based at any of our UK manufacturing locations with regular travel across all UK & Ireland sites (Heckington, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Fakenham, Bromborough and Navan, Ireland)Salary: Competetive + 15% annual bonus + car allowance

Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:30

Closing date: 19/10/2026

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across all Technical functions within Zertus UK & Ireland.
• Lead, coach and develop Site Technical Managers and wider Technical, Quality Assurance and Hygiene teams across multiple locations.
• Drive standardisation of technical systems, processes and quality management practices across the Group.
• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Quality Management Systems.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS standards, retailer requirements, HACCP principles and food legislation.
• Strengthen food safety, quality and technical performance through robust governance and operational excellence.
• Build strong customer relationships and represent the business during customer visits, audits and technical reviews.
• Lead group-wide audit readiness, complaint management and compliance programmes.
• Oversee technical integrity systems including HACCP, TACCP, VACCP and allergen management.
• Support technical innovation, capital projects and future capability development across the Group.
• Partner with senior operational leaders to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, efficiency and standardisation.

Qualifications

We're looking for someone who can provide clear technical direction across multiple sites whilst influencing operational performance, developing high-performing teams and driving best practice across the Group. You'll ideally have:

• Significant senior Technical leadership experience within food manufacturing.
• Experience within confectionery, snacking or related FMCG food manufacturing sectors.
• Proven experience leading technical teams across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, quality systems, compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrable experience delivering improvements in food safety, quality and technical performance.
• Extensive knowledge of BRCGS standards and UK retailer requirements (e.g. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl), with a proven track record of delivering and maintaining audit compliance.
• HACCP Level 4 qualification.
• Food Safety & Hygiene Level 4 qualification.
• Degree or equivalent in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior leadership level.
• Proven experience developing high-performing technical teams and future talent.

What will make you successful? Success in this role will come from your ability to:

• Create consistency across five manufacturing sites whilst respecting local strengths and expertise.
• Develop and inspire talented Technical teams to achieve even higher levels of performance.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Balance customer expectations with operational practicality and commercial needs.
• Influence and collaborate effectively across Technical, Operations, Commercial, NPD and Leadership teams.
• Lead standardisation initiatives that strengthen food safety, quality and compliance whilst supporting business growth.
• Deliver sustainable improvements that enhance both customer confidence and operational performance.

Rewards Benefits

• Competitive salary plus car allowance and 15% annual bonus opportunity.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional holiday.
• 4% employer and 5% employee pension contribution.
• Life assurance at four times basic salary.
• Healthcare Cash Plan through Paycare, covering dental, optical, therapies and counselling.
• Salary sacrifice schemes including pension, Cycle to Work and electric vehicle options.
• Career development opportunities within one of the UK's leading confectionery and snacking manufacturers.
• The opportunity to shape Technical Operations across some of the UK's and Ireland's most recognised confectionery and snacking manufacturers.

About Us

Zertus UK & Ireland is home to some of the UK's best-loved confectionery and snacking brands, including Humdinger, Kinnerton and Lir Chocolates. We combine the pace of a growing manufacturing business with the backing of an international family-owned group, creating exciting opportunities for ambitious professionals to make a real difference.

Our manufacturing Locations: Heckington, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Fakenham, Bromborough, Navan (Ireland). We have a hot-desking office space in Hull (East Yorkshire) and also in Camden, London.

Zertus UK&I is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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