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- Tasks: Lead technical functions ensuring food safety and quality in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join one of the UK's most innovative branded food businesses.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a respected team driving food safety excellence and collaboration.
- Qualifications: 5-6 years in Technical/Food Safety roles, HACCP Level 4 required.
- Other info: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: London
Salary: £75,000–£80,000 DOE
Contract: 12 month Fixed-Term (Maternity Cover)
Are you a Technical Manager with a passion for food safety, quality, and leading high-performing teams? We’re looking for a strong, decisive leader to hold the fort at one of the UK’s most innovative and fast-paced branded food businesses.
About the Role
Reporting to the Head of Technical and forming a key part of the Site Leadership Team, you'll lead all technical functions on site—ensuring the production of delicious, safe, and legal food across a dynamic chilled operation. This isn’t a role for making sweeping changes; instead, we need a confident, capable Technical lead to maintain and uphold our clients exceptional standards, support the technical team, and provide clear guidance on day-to-day technical matters.
What You'll Be Doing
- Act as Technical Site Lead, overseeing food safety, quality, and compliance
- Be the HACCP Team Leader (Level 4 required) and maintain audit-ready standards (BRC, internal)
- Support and develop a strong on-site technical team including QA Manager and Quality Technologists
- Maintain and enhance our food safety culture, working cross-functionally with Ops, Supply Chain & NPD
- Engage in fast-paced new product launches – trials, raw materials, suppliers, processes
- Lead in areas like GMP, non-conformance resolution, supplier approvals, QMS training & documentation
- Provide calm, assertive decision-making during technical escalations and be part of the incident management team
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience (5–6 years+) in Technical/Food Safety roles in chilled food manufacturing
- Strong knowledge of High Care is highly advantageous
- Degree in Food Science or related field
- HACCP Level 4 (essential), Food Safety Level 3, Internal Audit trained
- Team management experience with a collaborative, people-first approach
- Confident communicator and decision-maker who can lead under pressure
- Agility to operate in a branded, fast-paced environment where priorities change quickly
- A cultural fit – someone who thrives on respect, collaboration, and pride in their work
Why Join Us?
You’ll be joining a business that truly values quality, pace, and its people. This 12 month FTC role is a fantastic opportunity to lead a respected technical team, drive food safety excellence, and keep things running smoothly while making a real difference in a high-performing, values-led organisation.
Interested? Let’s talk! Apply now or contact Charlotte Liddiard-Smith at The Oval Partnership for a confidential discussion.
Email: charlotte@theovalpartnership.co.uk
Phone: 07501 980006
Technical Manager (FTC) 12 Months employer: The Oval Partnership
Contact Detail:
The Oval Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Manager (FTC) 12 Months
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific food safety standards and regulations relevant to chilled food manufacturing. Understanding BRC and HACCP requirements will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food manufacturing industry, especially those who have experience in technical management roles. Engaging with others can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you’ve successfully managed teams in high-pressure environments. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've maintained food safety and quality standards while leading a team.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s recent product launches and any innovations they’ve introduced. Being knowledgeable about their operations and demonstrating your enthusiasm for their products can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Manager (FTC) 12 Months
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in technical and food safety roles, particularly in chilled food manufacturing. Emphasise your leadership skills and any specific achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food safety and quality. Mention your experience as a HACCP Team Leader and how you can maintain high standards in a fast-paced environment. Be sure to convey your collaborative approach to team management.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications, especially your HACCP Level 4 certification and any other relevant food safety training. This will demonstrate your capability to meet the essential requirements of the role.
Showcase Your Decision-Making Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've made calm and assertive decisions during technical escalations. This will illustrate your ability to lead under pressure, which is crucial for this position.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Oval Partnership
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience in food safety and quality management. Highlight specific examples from your previous roles that demonstrate your ability to maintain high standards and lead technical teams effectively.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Technical Manager, you'll need to show that you can lead under pressure. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully managed a team or resolved conflicts, especially in fast-paced environments.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research the company's values and culture before the interview. Be ready to explain how your personal values align with theirs, particularly around collaboration and respect, which are crucial for this role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of scenarios related to food safety incidents or technical escalations and how you would handle them, showcasing your calm and assertive approach.
