Category Technical Manager - London ABOUT THE ROLE: As Category Technical Manager at GAIL's, you will be at the forefront of food safety, quality, and compliance across a dynamic artisan bakery supply chain. RESPONSIBILITIES: Food Safety & Technical Governance Ensure all operational processes and finished goods are controlled through robust HACCP systems, delivering full compliance with food safety and legal obligations. Develop and trend HACCP KPIs, proactively driving improvement plans across supplier and internal sites. Lead root cause investigations into product deviations and implement robust CAPAs (corrective and preventive actions). Provide technical direction on food safety, allergen management, traceability, and critical control point adherence. Maintain technical governance to achieve audit readiness and alignment with internal, external, legal, and customer standards. Audit & Compliance Management Lead preparation for and delivery of internal, supplier, and third-party audits, ensuring GAIL's compliance to technical standards and brand promise. Collaborate with supply and production teams to close audit gaps and implement lasting improvements. Track and report performance against key audit metrics and customer requirements. Supplier & Customer Interface Build strong technical partnerships with suppliers (e.g. CK), supporting selection, onboarding, and continuous improvement initiatives. Provide structured feedback to suppliers and internal teams based on customer concerns or audit findings. Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement Support innovation and NPD by ensuring technical feasibility and risk mitigation during product launches or changes. Collaborate with operations to resolve concerns and prevent recurrence. Lead technical response in any crisis or serious non-conformance events. Leadership & Team Development Provide leadership and coaching across the technical function, ensuring team members are engaged, trained, and high-performing. Deliver team development plans, succession pipelines, and skills audits aligned to business growth. Promote a culture of ownership, food safety awareness, and continuous improvement across all sites. AND YOU THE MISSING INGREDIENT: Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline Extensive experience in a technical or quality leadership role within bakery, chilled, or broader FMCG sectors Strong knowledge of UK/EU food legislation, HACCP, BRCGS, and customer standards Proven success managing suppliers, audits, and technical risk BENEFITS BAKED IN: Free food and drink when working 50% off food and drink when not working 25 days holiday Bank holiday Pension Scheme Discounts and Savings from high-street retailers and restaurants 24 hour GP service Cycle to work scheme Twice yearly pay review Development programmes for you to RISE with GAIL's