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Overview
Our client is a highly respected, fast-growing food manufacturing business based in Kent, supplying a major UK retailer with premium, short-shelf-life products. Known for quality, innovation, and strong customer relationships, they are now seeking an experienced Technical Manager to lead the technical agenda on-site.
This is a key role within the senior team, responsible for shaping technical strategy, driving continuous improvement in food safety and quality, and acting as the primary interface with a high-profile retail customer.
Key Responsibilities
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Retailer Relationship Management – Act as the main technical contact for one of the UK’s major retailers, ensuring excellent communication, smooth audit performance, and ongoing confidence in product integrity.
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Technical & Quality Leadership – Lead the site’s technical, QA and compliance functions, ensuring robust systems across HACCP, QMS, raw materials, allergen management, traceability and specifications.
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Food Safety Governance – Maintain the highest standards of food safety and GMP; ensure BRC / retailer COP compliance and readiness at all times.
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Business Strategy Contribution – Work with the SLT to create and deliver the technical roadmap, including long-term quality strategy, risk mitigation, NPD support and customer growth plans.
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Continuous Improvement – Identify and implement improvements in quality, processes, and site standards; embed a right-first-time culture across production.
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Team Leadership & Development – Manage and mentor the technical/QA team, ensuring capability, engagement, and succession planning.
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Audit & Compliance Management – Lead site audits, including third-party, customer and regulatory visits.
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Data & Reporting – Provide technical insights, KPI reporting, and trend analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration – Work closely with Production, NPD, Engineering and Supply Chain to deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality products consistently.
The Ideal Candidate
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Proven experience as a Technical Manager or Senior Technical Professional within UK food manufacturing.
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Strong knowledge of BRC, HACCP Level 4, UK retailer standards (Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s etc.).
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Experience managing technical relationships with major retailers – essential.
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Track record of driving quality improvements, implementing systems, and raising site standards.
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Confident leader able to influence across teams and drive a positive food safety culture.
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Strong communicator, commercially aware, and comfortable working at pace with daily operational demands.
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Ideally experienced with short shelf-life / chilled manufacturing, although open to background for the right person.
Next Steps
If you’re a dynamic and commercially minded Technical Manager looking for a new challenge with a progressive, customer-focused manufacturer, we’d love to hear from you.
Please apply by subitting your CV or give me a call / drop me a message to the details below.
