Company:
Our client is a global leader in agricultural innovation, operating a network of over 30 facilities and supporting commercial activities over 40 countries. The UK-based team plays a key role in driving international projects and supporting operations across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, contributing to a £700 million annual revenue stream.
Opportunity:
As Senior Technical Manager, you will act as the primary technical point of contact for UK retail clients, providing specialist support, ensuring compliance with specifications, and promoting strategic initiatives such as new product development (NPD) and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). This is a highly visible role within the UK commercial team, combining technical expertise, client relationship management, and cross-functional collaboration. You will play a pivotal role in driving technical excellence, safeguarding product quality, and strengthening the company's reputation as an innovative, reliable, and sustainable partner in the fresh produce industry.
Responsibilities
:
* Build and maintain proactive relationships with clients' technical representatives.
* Support commercial initiatives, including development of new varieties and packaging.
* Coordinate client visits in the UK and abroad.
* Lead and prepare seasonal review meetings.
* Monitor and report KPIs and QSLs related to service quality.
* Ensure compliance with client technical specifications, coordinating with internal teams.
* Investigate complaints and rejections, liaising with Quality to implement action plans.
* Supervise product quality in-store and communicate findings.
* Manage certification and due diligence requirements.
* Provide data and reporting to support commercial decisions.
* Support audits related to quality and compliance.
* Drive continuous improvement initiatives across processes.
* Participate in technical negotiations with clients to resolve specification issues.
* Communicate technical changes to internal teams to ensure proper implementation.
* Engage in cross-functional innovation and sustainability projects related to UK retail clients.
Candidate Requirements
:
* University degree in Agronomy, Food Technology, Biology, or related field.
* Minimum 5 years in a technical role within the UK fruit sector, with direct client interaction.
* Strong knowledge of fresh produce, retail operations, and supplier management. Expertise in food safety, pesticides, and hygiene law.
* Familiarity with food safety and quality assurance frameworks (e.g. HACCP, BRC, GLOBALG.A.P.); knowledge of ethical trade and supplier audit standards (such as SMETA or ETI principles) is desirable
* Proficiency in IT tools: Word, Excel, Outlook.
* High level of English required.
* Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
* Organised, detail-oriented, adaptable, and able to work under pressure.
* Willingness to travel across the UK and overseas.
* Commitment to ongoing training and professional development is expected
Remuneration:
Salary for this role is in the range of £52,000– £62,000 per year. Additional benefits include pension contributions, health insurance, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive, family-oriented culture that values work-life balance.
For further information, please contact us at apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter in Word format detailing your relevant experience.