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.
Technical Manager
Southampton
55,000 – 60,000 D.O.E + 5% bonus
Permanent
What You’ll Be Doing:
- 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
What We’re Looking For:
- 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.
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