Head Of Technical in Pontefract, City and Borough of Wakefield

Job Title: Head of Technical (Food Manufacturing) 

Salary: Up to £70,000 DOE 

Location: West Yorkshire

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Overview

The Flavour Network are partnered with an established food manufacturing business in West Yorkshire to recruit an experienced Head of Technical to lead its Technical, Quality Assurance and Hygiene functions.

This is an excellent opportunity for a technical leader with a strong background in food manufacturing to take ownership of food safety, quality, compliance and continuous improvement within a fast-paced production environment.

Reporting to the senior site leadership team, you'll be responsible for maintaining high standards across all technical and quality functions, ensuring products meet customer specifications and that robust food safety and quality management systems are consistently maintained.

You'll lead and develop a team of technical and quality professionals, working collaboratively with colleagues across the business to strengthen processes, protect customer brand integrity and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, industry standards and customer requirements.

We're particularly keen to hear from candidates who can combine strong technical expertise with effective leadership and a proactive, hands-on approach.

Key Responsibilities for the Head of Technical

• Lead the Technical, Quality Assurance and Hygiene functions, ensuring effective day-to-day management and consistently high standards across the site.
• Maintain and continuously improve food safety, quality and hygiene management systems in line with legislation, customer specifications, retailer requirements and industry best practice.
• Take ownership of HACCP and TACCP plans, ensuring food safety and product integrity risks are effectively assessed, controlled and regularly reviewed.
• Plan and oversee internal and external audits, customer visits and third-party inspections, ensuring corrective actions and non-conformances are resolved promptly.
• Build strong working relationships with customers, auditors and external partners, providing technical guidance and ensuring expectations are consistently met.
• Oversee hygiene operations across relevant shifts, ensuring cleaning standards are maintained and teams have the necessary training, equipment and resources.
• Monitor and analyse customer complaints, microbiological results, quality control data and other technical performance indicators to identify trends and drive improvements.
• Ensure effective allergen management, risk assessments and pest prevention measures are maintained across the site.
• Protect customer brand integrity by ensuring products, processes, sourcing, packaging and labelling meet agreed specifications and quality standards.
• Ensure technical, food safety and brand integrity training is delivered effectively, including induction, refresher training and ongoing communications.
• Manage departmental budgets in collaboration with senior management and finance, ensuring resources are used effectively.
• Work closely with operational and departmental managers to promote best practice, strengthen compliance and support continuous improvement.
• Lead, motivate and develop the technical, quality and hygiene teams, building a culture of accountability, collaboration and food safety excellence.
• Promote compliance with company Health & Safety policies and contribute to maintaining a safe working environment.

Requirements for the Head of Technical

• Previous experience within a food production or food manufacturing environment is essential, ideally within meat, protein or a similar sector.
• Strong knowledge of food safety legislation, quality management systems and technical compliance requirements.
• Practical experience of HACCP and TACCP, including maintaining and reviewing site plans.
• Proven experience leading or managing teams within a technical, quality assurance or hygiene function.
• Experience managing audits, resolving non-conformances and maintaining customer and retailer standards.
• A strong understanding of food safety, hygiene management, allergen controls and product integrity.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, combined with excellent attention to detail and sound judgement.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of departmental budgets and financial processes.
• A proactive and adaptable approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and drive continuous improvement.
• A food-related degree or equivalent qualification would be advantageous.
• Experience working with major retailers and third-party audit bodies would also be beneficial.

If you're an experienced technical professional ready for your next leadership challenge within food manufacturing, we'd love to hear from you.