Position : Technical Manager
Reports to : Head of Operations
Direct Reports : Food Technologists
Absence Cover : Food Technologists
Contract Type : Permanent, Full-Time
Working Hours : 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Location : Kent (site-based with regular attendance required)
Role Purpose
The Technical Manager will play a pivotal senior leadership role within a specialist food distribution and manufacturing environment. The position is responsible for ensuring that all products meet the highest standards of food safety, quality, legality, and integrity, in line with BRC Food Safety Standards, customer Codes of Practice (COPs), and relevant UK and international legislation.
This role works closely with retail, independent, and foodservice customers, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure compliance, continuous improvement, and a strong food safety and quality culture across the business.
Key Responsibilities
Food Safety, Quality & Compliance
• Maintain and continuously improve audit performance against BRC, organic standards, Sedex, and retailer Codes of Practice.
• Lead food safety, food quality, and product integrity systems, including risk assessments, procedures, policies, and work instructions.
• Manage and close out non-conformances, corrective actions, and preventative actions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant food safety legislation and emerging regulatory
requirements.
• Provide leadership on HACCP, food defence, and vulnerability assessment.
Supplier & Raw Material Management
• Approve suppliers and raw materials, including conducting supplier approval audits where required.
• Ensure own-label producers and suppliers meet technical and retailer-specific requirements and remain audit-ready.
• Arrange and conduct audits of non-BRC suppliers according to schedule.
• Support suppliers in driving continuous improvement and best practice.
Customer & Retailer Interface
• Act as the primary technical contact for customers and retailers.
• Manage web-based customer information and technical data systems.
• Prepare for and lead customer, supplier, and third-party audits and site visits.
• Support timely completion of retailer specifications, technical documentation, and artwork approvals during NPD processes.
Leadership & Continuous Improvement
• Lead site technical, QA, and compliance functions.
• Develop and maintain the internal audit schedule and participate in audits.
• Review internal systems for effectiveness and efficiency, driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Embed a strong right-first-time and food safety culture across operations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Production, NPD, Engineering, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams to ensure consistent delivery of safe, compliant, and high-quality products.
• Provide technical insight, KPI reporting, trend analysis, and risk-based recommendations to support operational and strategic decisions.
Travel
• Undertake UK and international travel, including overnight stays, as required.
• Some travel may be at short notice.
Qualifications & Experience
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar Technical or Quality leadership role within food manufacturing or food distribution.
• HND or Degree in Food Science or a related technical discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of BRC Food Safety Standards.
• Experience in quality management systems, auditing, and lead auditing.
• Retailer-facing experience with a clear understanding of customer standards and expectations.
• Full UK driving licence