We’re currently recruiting a Technical Manager for a food manufacturer based in Bodmin, Cornwall.  The company have said they are willing to consider hybrid working and are open as to what this may look like.

There is a salary of around £50k+ on offer – this would be dependent upon experience etc.

The company are about to embark on an exciting period, they are BRC AA accredited and looking to maintain this to A as minimum.  They currently have an interim candidate covering the role until a permanent candidate is appointed.  They’re looking for a pragmatic, experienced individual who will offer the company a fresh set of eyes to make changes etc.

Role Summary:

The role of Technical Manager is the technical lead for the business to maintain and continuously improve product quality, food safety and legal compliance.  As part of the Operations Leadership Team, the role is responsible for developing and implementing effective quality assurance processes supporting efficient food production.  The role requires a developed understanding of food safety standards and the business’s adopted standard e.g Global Standard Food Safety (BRCGS) along with the experience and leadership skills to manage the technical team and support the overall business objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the technical aspects of the manufacturing process, ensuring adherence to quality standards, food safety regulations, and production schedules.
• Implement and maintain best practices for food manufacturing processes, including ingredient sourcing, recipe development, product formulation and packaging.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., production, NPD, engineering) to optimize process efficiency, troubleshoot technical issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor and analyse production data, identifying trends, and implementing corrective actions to enhance product quality, yield, and cost-effectiveness.
• Managing Technical Spend in line with business requirements.

Quality Assurance & Compliance:

• Develop and enforce robust quality control procedures and policies to ensure consistent product quality and safety.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to verify compliance with internal quality standards, regulatory requirements, and industry certifications (e.g., HACCP, GMP, BRC).
• Collaborate with the customer relations team to investigate customer complaints, implement corrective actions, and prevent product non-conformances.
• Stay updated on industry trends, new regulations, and emerging technologies related to food manufacturing, incorporating them into the quality management system as appropriate.

Quality Culture:

• Maintaining a positive food safety and health & safety culture
• Continually strive to foster teamwork, exhibit leading behaviours and the opportunity to improve
• Work with other stakeholders in the business to develop ways of working and align business / cross functional requirements

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead and mentor a team of technical professionals, including engineers, operation staff, and technicians, fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and accountability.
• Define clear performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance evaluations to ensure the team's effectiveness and professional growth.
• Identify skills gaps and training needs within the technical team, coordinating training programs and professional development opportunities to enhance their capabilities.

Supplier and Vendor Management:

• Collaborate with supply chain teams to identify and evaluate suppliers/vendors for ingredients, equipment, and packaging materials.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, negotiating contracts, resolving issues, and ensuring the timely availability of high-quality materials.
• Conduct supplier audits to assess their compliance with quality and safety standards, implementing corrective actions when necessary.

Performance & Reporting

• Downtime and equipment unavailability recording
• Reporting of lost time incidents to enable corrective and preventative actions
• Activation and leadership with RCA and business improvement techniques
• Cost Centre control reporting for financial planning and accounting

Quality

• Working practices to meet food safety, quality and integrity of all products produced
• Maintaining BRC standards at all times
• Support the construction and implementation of SOPs and training to maintain and improve ways of working

Systems

• Contributing to implementation of new processes and systems to ensure food safety within production requirements
• Optimise all processes (systems and operational) with a focus on continuous improvement for the implementation and ongoing compliance of the adopted food safety standard

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire and manage technical teams effectively with experience (5+ years) in food manufacturing with a strong technical background
• In-depth knowledge of food manufacturing processes, food safety regulations, quality management systems and industry best practices
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, with a keen attention to details
• Strong leadership skills with track record of building effective quality culture through motivated teams
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and present technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness and the appreciation of decision making consequences
• IT competent with the ability to quickly develop a good grasp of business software
• Be pro-active and able to plan effectively
• Excellent planning and organisational skills