Overview
About The Company Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis - we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category. Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.
DIVISION/DEPT: Technical
REPORT TO: COO
LINE MANAGEMENT: 3 direct reports
LOCATION: UK based
TRAVEL: International & Domestic travel essential
Purpose of the role
To lead and embed world-class quality, environmental, and food safety standards across Solent Group's product lifecycle, from 'concept to shelf', ensuring compliance, innovation, and trust at every touchpoint.
Key Responsibilities
* Budget ownership & management
Manage and control of all budget for Technical. Ensure cost controls are in place for maximising quality and efficiency. Set clear budgets and ensure they are managed and maintained.
* Global Team Leadership
Build a high performing team globally. Drive culture and values across the teams to ensure collaboration and unity as one team. Ensure Key Performance metrics are in place and measured.
* Champion ISO Standards Integration & Global standards
Embed ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), and ISO 22000 (Food Safety) into daily operations, product development, and supplier management. Ethical compliance. Ensure compliance to other global standards required to sell, produce and maintain product safety. Translate standards into actionable frameworks, SOPs, and training programs. ESG management.
* Lead Technical Excellence and innovation
Oversee product specifications, testing protocols, and compliance documentation. Ensure all products meet retailer, regulatory, and consumer expectations - from hygiene to durability to sustainability. Maintain updated archives and claim substantiation. Drive technical innovation across all our categories.
* Drive Continuous Improvement
Establish feedback loops from audits, consumer data, and retailer scorecards. Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions with cross-functional teams. Ensure scorecards are maintained and used.
* Own Risk & Resilience
Conduct hazard analysis and risk assessments across supply chains. Develop robust traceability and recall systems, especially for food-contact and edible products.
* Elevate Customers, Supplier Partnerships and 3rd parties
Provide technical expertise and assurance for all Customers. Audit and mentor suppliers to meet ISO and retailer standards and drive manufacturing innovations and excellence - be knowledgeable on the process. Build long-term relationships based on transparency, shared goals, and mutual growth. Clear objectives and future innovation driven through JBP and KPI's.
* Lead Environmental Stewardship - ESG plan and management
Implement ISO 14001-aligned initiatives: waste reduction, energy efficiency, sustainable packaging. Track and report environmental KPIs across product categories. Environmental, Sustainability & governance.
Experience and Attributes
* Use data driven insights to guide technical strategy and be able to present findings in clear, visual formats for leadership and retail partners.
* Communicate with Impact and simplify technical detail into compelling narratives for internal teams, retailers, and consumers.
* Strong collaboration skills to highlight quality and sustainability wins.
* Deep knowledge of ISO 9001, 14001, and 22000 - with practical implementation experience.
* Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement across technical, creative, and commercial teams.
* Analytical mindset with a flair for storytelling - able to turn data into action and insight.
* Resilient, proactive, and solutions-focused - thrives in fast-paced, multi-tiered environments.
* Product development, manufacturing knowledge, regulatory.
* Team leadership.
* Budget management.
What we offer
* Competitive salary & car allowance with annual salary reviews
* 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
* Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
* EV scheme
* Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff
* Great learning and development and progression opportunities Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
* Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
* Generous Company Sick Pay
* Pension Scheme Contribution
* Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Dress down Fridays
* Free parking on Christchurch Quay
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