Job Description Position: Technical Manager Reporting to: Operations Director Working hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday Location: Kent Salary: C. £55k DOE Role Overview This organisation operates within the specialist food supply sector, working closely with a diverse network of producers, customers, and internal teams. The business places a strong emphasis on product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across a broad portfolio supplied to retail, independent, and foodservice channels. The Technical Manager plays a critical leadership role, with responsibility for overseeing food safety, quality, legality, and integrity across the business. The position acts as the central technical authority, ensuring that products, processes, and suppliers meet all relevant legal standards, certification requirements, and customer expectations. As a senior member of the management team, the role is accountable for setting technical direction, embedding a strong food safety and quality culture, driving continuous improvement, and maintaining effective relationships with customers, suppliers, auditors, and internal stakeholders. The Technical Manager leads and develops a team of technologists, ensuring that technical activities support commercial objectives while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and best practice. Key Responsibilities: Food Safety, Quality & Compliance Maintain and improve performance against recognised food safety and ethical standards, including third-party and customer audits Lead food safety, quality, authenticity, and risk management activities, including the development and maintenance of policies, procedures, and work instructions Own and manage HACCP systems, food defence, and vulnerability assessments Ensure ongoing compliance with relevant legislation, standards, and customer codes of practice Monitor emerging regulatory and customer requirements and ensure timely implementation Supplier & Product Assurance Manage supplier and raw material approval processes, including risk assessments and on-site audits where required Ensure own-label and branded products meet defined technical specifications and audit requirements Support suppliers in driving continuous improvement in quality and food safety performance Conduct audits of non-certified suppliers in line with internal schedules Audit & Customer Interface Lead preparation for internal, external, customer, and supplier audits and technical visits Act as the primary technical contact for customers, responding to queries, managing technical systems, and providing accurate information Maintain customer-facing technical data via relevant online platforms New Product & Change Management Oversee technical delivery within new product development and product change processes Ensure specifications, artwork, and approvals are completed accurately and on time Work cross-functionally to manage technical risk during product launches and changes Leadership & Continuous Improvement Lead and develop the technical and quality team, setting clear objectives and fostering capability growth Review and improve internal systems to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance Develop and maintain internal audit programmes and participate in audits Analyse technical KPIs and trends, providing insight to support operational and strategic decision-making Champion a right-first-time, continuous improvement mindset across the business Collaboration & Communication Work closely with operations, supply chain, engineering, and commercial teams to ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality products Communicate current and potential supply or compliance risks clearly and proactively Travel Travel within the UK and internationally as required, including occasional overnight stays Knowledge, Skills & Experience Essential Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior technical or quality role within the food industry Degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science or a related discipline Strong working knowledge of food safety standards, auditing, and quality management systems Experience of HACCP leadership and risk-based decision-making Confident communicator with strong written and verbal skills High level of accuracy and attention to detail Proven ability to influence stakeholders and build effective working relationships Competent user of Microsoft Office and technical data systems Full UK driving licence Willingness to travel Desirable Experience working with retail and customer-specific technical standards Lead auditor qualification Commercial awareness and ability to balance technical risk with business needs Personal Attributes Proactive and solutions-focused Strong organisational and time-management skills Analytical, with sound judgement and decision-making ability Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment Confident leader who promotes a positive food safety culture Collaborative team player with a “can-do” attitude If this role would be of interest to you, please send your CV over to jack.thomson@drnewitt.com or call 0131 226 5060.