About the Role:
Technical Manager
Are you an experienced and competent technical manager within the food industry? Are you driven by high standards and leading results?
We are recruiting for an experienced and qualified Technical Manager to support and play a key role at our advanced pack and primary processing site in Hereford.
We are a diverse, forward-thinking business, so we are looking for someone who can think outside of the box, has a proven ability to build effective relationships with internal and external contacts and encompasses a natural inquisitive nature.
Purpose of the role
As Technical Manager you will lead and develop the technical function on site, ensure legal compliance, food safety and adherence to customer specifications.
You will be an active member of both the site senior management team and the group technical team and champion the Avara Foods Quality proposition.
You will maintain certification and accreditation with all relevant licensing bodies and retailers to ensure continuity of supply by leading on site audits and through a process of continuous improvement.
Operating Environment
This role will be both factory and office based, with regular requirement to go into the factory environment, which is noisy and refrigerated in some areas. This is an on- site operational role, but we are happy to discuss at interview possible flexibility required.
What will I be responsible for as Technical Manager?
1. Setting objectives and measurable KPI’s for the Technical teams in line with the business objectives, to continually improve site standards and GMP
2. Ensuring the team development is in line with talent needs defined by the business and overall Technical function
3. Ensuring that the Technical team are effectively trained, coached and developed to be competent within their roles
4. Being an active leader within the site Senior Management Team, supporting the delivery of the site objectives, budget and continuous improvement
5. Ensuring compliance with all legislation relating to the welfare of life animals during their catching, collecting and slaughter
6. Maintaining and improving the Quality Management System to ensure Food Safety, Legal Compliance ad adherence to Customer Specifications and Policies
7. Supporting the delivery of the Avara Quality proposition and Food Safety culture
8. Providing Operations with Technical monitoring and auditing to ensure that customer requirements are understood and achieved
9. Reviewing the frequency of non-conformances to identify longer term corrective action plans
10. Reviewing specifications for all products, packaging and ingredients and ensuring that all versions are correct and meet customer specifications
11. Coordinating the investigation of customer complaints of a technical nature and ensuring any findings and action plans are completed and communicated both internally and externally
12. Ensuring procedures are in place to satisfy any environmental legislation and that requirements are understood by the site Senior Management Team
13. Building effective relationships with internal and external customers during site visits
14. Ensuring external service providers are effectively managed i.e. hygiene pest control, laundry and laboratories
What are we looking for as a Technical Manager?
Essential
15. Experience in working in a food manufacturing environment or fast paced organisation at Technical Manager level
16. Knowledge of HACCP (Level 3 minimum), BRC and other food safety management systems
17. The successful candidate will have strong Technical knowledge and a minimum of 3-5 years managing a team
18. Food related degree or higher level qualification and committed to professional development
19. Leadership skills and experience developing and engaging teams
20. Proactive champion for food safety and quality
21. It is of importance that you can manage your workload, be proactive and enjoy achieving results both personally but also for the benefit of the site team and the business
22. Your style will fit well with the company if you are used to being flexible, are able to prioritise, communicate effectively and can develop relationships
Desirable
23. Experience within poultry industry or dealing with live animals / welfare legislation
24. Advanced HACCP / Food Hygiene Level 3
25. Lead assessor auditor qualification
26. Knowledge and experience of environmental matters
27. Knowledge and experience of major retailers or food service customers
What’s in it for you?
We offer comprehensive training as well as development and career progression opportunities. As Technical Manager, you can also look forward to benefits that amongst other things include the following:
28. 33 Days Holiday
29. 6% Matched Pension
30. Private Medical Cover for Self and Partner / Child
31. Life Insurance for self
32. Access to salary sacrifice car scheme
33. Variety of Wellbeing and Employee perks such as unlimited remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, financial support