Technical Manager – Food Manufacturing
Salary: £50,000 – £55,000
Location: Erith, Kent (DA8)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00am – 4:30pm (flexible start available)
About the Company
This is an opportunity to join a well-established, family-run food manufacturing business with around 30 employees, specialising in dairy-free yogurts and soft cheeses made from 100% natural ingredients. Operating since 2011, the business supplies leading plant-based brands and has recently secured a major retail contract within the Marks & Spencer Plant Kitchen range, working to the highest food safety and quality standards.
The business operates two separate manufacturing facilities:
* One dedicated to nut-based products
* One allergen-free facility for coconut-based and free-from products
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Technical Manager from a food manufacturing background to take full ownership of all technical, quality, and food safety activities across the business. This is a senior, hands-on role within a short shelf-life food environment, reporting directly to senior management.
You will be responsible for ensuring all products, processes, and systems meet legal, customer, and accreditation requirements, including BRCGS, M&S, SALSA, and Organic standards.
Key Responsibilities
* Full responsibility for food safety, quality, legality, integrity, and authenticity
* Day-to-day management, training, and development of the technical team
* Supplier Quality Assurance and management of non-conformances
* Ownership and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System
* Managing HACCP systems and traceability exercises
* Preparation for and leadership of internal, external, and customer audits
* Investigation of customer complaints, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
* Raw material, packaging, and finished product specification management
* Approval of packaging, artwork, and labelling compliance
* Microbiology testing oversight and results analysis
* Technical support for NPD and product trials
* Liaising with customers, suppliers, co-manufacturers, and senior leadership
* Managing hygiene standards, laboratory activities, and technical budgets
Essential Experience & Qualifications
* Proven experience in a Technical / Quality / Technologist role within food manufacturing
* Experience with short shelf-life food products
* Strong working knowledge of BRCGS (M&S standards experience desirable)
* Degree educated in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline
* Excellent understanding of food legislation, suppliers, and raw materials
* Confident managing audits and major retail customer requirements
* Analytical, detail-focused, and IT proficient (Excel essential)
* Proactive, hands-on leadership style
What's on Offer
* Competitive salary of £50,000 – £55,000
* Senior, influential role within a growing food manufacturing business
* Opportunity to work within the expanding plant-based and free-from sector
* Stable, Monday–Friday working hours
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