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- Tasks: Lead the Technical Governance team, ensuring delivery of technical strategy and training.
- Company: Join Pilgrim's Europe, a leader in innovative food production with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, holiday entitlement, pension contributions, and learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic leadership team shaping food safety culture and technical excellence.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Technology or equivalent; strong project management and analytical skills required.
- Other info: Travel across the UK, Ireland, and Europe is essential for this role.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are currently seeking to recruit a Director of Technical Governance. The Director of Technical Governance is a key role in the Senior Leadership Team of Pilgrim's Europe, reporting to the Technical and Research & Development Director. The Governance team consists of technical training, internal independent audits, and technical systems, supporting the delivery of the Technical, Agriculture, and R&D Strategy. The role requires strong business leadership to align practices across Pilgrim's Europe, bringing together best practices. This position is part of the Senior Technical Leadership Team, developing industry-leading strategies, leading key business-wide projects, and ensuring the right training talent and resources are in place.
The Governance team develops the Food Safety and Quality Manufacturing System (FSQMS) and designs policies and procedures for Pilgrim's Europe factories. The training teams support the rollout of technical systems and procedures, while internal audits measure compliance and identify best practices. A key responsibility is delivering the Technical & R&D Strategy, including managing, aligning, and improving data capture systems and ensuring KPI data is reported accurately and timely. Reports include weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for Pilgrim's Europe and Global teams.
This role will lead the Training strategy for Pilgrim's Europe, supporting leadership training, competency frameworks, and training matrices, which underpin the 9-box process and succession planning. It will also support technical apprenticeships and graduate development programs. The Director of Technical Governance leads the Technical Excellence (Technical Pillar) process, ensuring timely completion of checklists, audits, and reviews. The role will deliver a roadmap to continually enhance the food safety culture through the Technical Excellence programme. Travel across the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe will be required to cover the full scope of this role.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Technical Governance team to ensure delivery of the technical strategy, including training, audits, Food Safety and Quality Management systems, and KPI management.
- Oversee the collation of central group technical data, ensuring analysis and reporting are timely, accurate, and stakeholder requests are managed effectively.
- Support key initiatives to improve ways of working, such as procurement tenders, people initiatives, or standards design.
- Address escalated issues, working with business teams to implement corrective actions and share learnings.
- Lead the Technical Excellence process, ensuring planning and completion of checklists, self-assessments, and audits, with continuous process improvements.
- Develop future technical leaders through programs like the Technical Leadership Pathway, development frameworks, and training matrices.
- Implement a robust internal audit program to enhance audit readiness across sites, including agriculture and rollover operations.
- Support customer relations by providing seamless technical service and management where needed.
Essential Criteria
- Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, or equivalent.
- Experience managing broad projects and delivering improvements.
- Values of discipline, determination, and ownership.
- In-depth understanding of manufacturing standards such as BRCGS and retailer standards.
- High system literacy for data handling and processing.
- Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
- Excellent report writing skills, ability to meet deadlines, and high accuracy.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience leading a large technical function and developing technical capability.
- Ability to engage and build relationships with stakeholders.
- Experience delivering food safety training.
The company
Pilgrim's Europe produces iconic brands like Fridge Raiders, Rollover, Denny, Richmond, Oakhouse, and Moy Park, along with a diverse range of products across categories including fresh pork, lamb, and chicken, working with major retailers and food service outlets. Our portfolio includes chilled and frozen ready meals, snacking ranges, added-value, and food service products. With 20,000 employees, we are committed to producing high-quality, innovative food enjoyed by millions across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. Our teams are based across our UK, Moy Park, Food Masters, and Shared Services divisions.
What we'll bring to the table
- Competitive Salary
- Holiday Entitlement
- Pension Contribution
- Family Policies
- Learning & Development
- Life Assurance
People matter
Our values
- Determination
- Simplicity
- Availability
- Humility
- Discipline
- Sincerity
- Ownership
Contact Detail:
Pilgrims Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Technical Governance
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and best practices in food safety and quality management systems. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food technology and governance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the challenges they face, which can give you an edge in discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with managing large technical teams and projects. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully implemented improvements and led initiatives in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Pilgrim's Europe and their brands thoroughly. Understanding their products and values will allow you to tailor your conversations and show how your vision aligns with their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Technical Governance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in technical governance, food safety, and quality management systems. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and project management experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Discuss how your values align with those of Pilgrim's Europe, particularly focusing on determination, discipline, and ownership.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your degree in Food Technology or Food Science and any additional certifications related to food safety standards like BRCGS. Emphasise your analytical skills and system literacy in data handling.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Provide examples of how you have developed future leaders or led large technical functions. Mention any successful training programmes or initiatives you have implemented that align with the responsibilities of the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrims Europe
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director of Technical Governance, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, focusing on your approach to aligning practices and driving improvements.
✨Understand Food Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with key manufacturing standards such as BRCGS and retailer standards. Be ready to discuss how you have implemented these standards in previous roles and how they relate to the responsibilities of this position.
✨Highlight Your Analytical Skills
This role requires strong analytical skills for data handling and reporting. Prepare to discuss specific instances where your attention to detail and analytical capabilities have led to successful outcomes in your previous work.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Building relationships with stakeholders is crucial. Think about how you've engaged with various stakeholders in the past, and be prepared to share strategies that have worked for you in fostering collaboration and communication.
