Head of technical

We're currently supporting a growing food manufacturer looking to add to their senior technical team. This is a brilliant opportunity for an experienced Head of Technical to join a growing food manufacturing business and take full ownership of the site’s technical, quality, food safety and compliance function.

This role needs someone who knows what “good” looks like — someone who can lead from the front, build strong retailer relationships, drive audit standards, and bring pace, structure and confidence to a busy manufacturing environment

You’ll be the technical lead on site, acting as the key point of contact for customers, retailers, auditors and senior stakeholders, while leading a capable technical team and helping the wider business continue to raise standards.

The Role

As Head of Technical, you will take responsibility for ensuring the site consistently delivers against customer, legal, food safety and quality expectations.

Salary: up to £80,000

Location: South Herefordshire

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading the site technical, quality, food safety and compliance agenda
• Managing key retailer, customer and third-party audit relationships
• Driving BRCGS standards, customer audits and internal audit performance
• Leading, developing and supporting the technical and quality team
• Ensuring robust HACCP, TACCP, VACCP and quality management systems are in place
• Managing complaints, non-conformances, root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Ensuring compliance with retailer codes of practice, legislation and site standards
• Working closely with operations, production, hygiene, engineering and NPD teams
• Supporting continuous improvement across quality, food safety and operational standards
• Acting as the senior technical voice across site and with external stakeholders

About You

We’re looking for a technically strong, commercially aware and confident leader who can operate at pace while keeping standards high.

You’ll ideally have:

• Proven technical leadership experience within food manufacturing, fresh produce or FMCG
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, retailer standards and food safety systems
• Experience managing customer audits, retailer visits and technical relationships
• A track record of leading, developing and improving technical teams
• Strong communication skills with the confidence to influence at senior level
• A proactive, hands-on style suited to a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Relevant food safety, technical or degree-level qualifications would be advantageous

What’s on Offer

• Senior leadership role within a growing food manufacturing business
• Genuine autonomy to shape and improve the technical function
• High-impact role with visibility across the wider business
• Opportunity to drive standards, influence change and lead continuous improvement
• Competitive salary and benefits