Head Of Technical in Crawley, West Sussex

Alexander Steele Recruitment is working in partnership with an established and successful food manufacturing business in the South East of England to recruit an experienced Senior Technical Manager.

This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong, commercially aware individual to take ownership of the Technical and Quality functions within a busy food manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will play an important role in maintaining high standards across food safety, quality and compliance, whilst developing the technical team and driving improvements across the wider operation.

We are particularly keen to speak with individuals who have a background in ready meals, meat or fish or fresh food manufacturing and are confident operating at a senior level.

Key Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with Production, Operations and Commercial teams to improve manufacturing processes, product quality and operational performance.
• Manage, coach and develop the Technical and Quality teams, encouraging a strong culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Take responsibility for maintaining and improving BRC standards, including the preparation and management of external, customer and regulatory audits.
• Act as a key technical contact for customers, suppliers and external stakeholders, building effective relationships and responding to technical queries.
• Drive improvements in food safety and quality management systems, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, industry standards and customer requirements.
• Oversee investigations into quality concerns, customer complaints and non-conformances, ensuring effective corrective and preventative actions are implemented.
• Maintain effective HACCP systems, allergen controls, traceability procedures, product specifications and associated technical documentation.
• Support the introduction of new products, manufacturing changes and process improvements, ensuring appropriate technical controls are in place.
• Monitor supplier performance, raw material quality and product testing programmes to ensure consistently high standards.
• Promote a positive food safety culture throughout the business, working closely with colleagues at all levels.
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations to the senior leadership team, supporting wider business objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve departmental processes, reporting and overall technical performance.

Candidate Requirements

We are looking for an experienced Technical professional who can demonstrate:

• A minimum of 5 years' experience in Technical Management within a food manufacturing environment.
• A relevant qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline, alongside advanced HACCP or Food Safety qualifications.
• Experience working within ready meals, meat, fish, poultry or fresh food manufacturing.
• A proven track record of leading and developing Technical and Quality teams.
• Strong working knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety standards, HACCP, food safety legislation and quality management systems.
• Experience successfully managing customer, regulatory and third-party audits.
• A strong understanding of manufacturing processes, product specifications, allergen management and traceability.
• Experience investigating quality issues, implementing corrective actions and delivering continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage with customers and senior management.
• A practical and proactive approach, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong organisational skills, commercial awareness and the ability to manage competing priorities.

What's On Offer?

• Highly competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• Company car.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Opportunity to lead and develop an established Technical and Quality function.
• A senior position with the autonomy to influence standards, processes and business improvements.
• The opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and play a key role in the continued development of the business.

Interested?

If you're an experienced Technical Manager looking for your next challenge, or already operating at Senior Technical Manager level and keen to explore a new opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Tracey Fleming at Alexander Steele Recruitment for a confidential discussion.

Applicants must have the full right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this position.