Head of Technical - Stone Bakery

BFree Foods Crossmaglen, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Head of Technical – Stone Bakery BFree’s goal is to bring customers gluten and wheat-free bread and bakery, right for their everyday needs, and with quality and safety guaranteed. We are committed to our mission to make free from bakery better for us and taste great serving millions of customers around the globe. Our approach has always been to replace ‘less with more’ – more nutritious ingredients, more choice, and more taste. We challenge the norm, challenge the process, challenge the ingredients. We always aim to be innovative, thinking outside the box in everything we do. About the Role We are seeking an experienced technical manager to provide leadership in the technical and R&D functions at Stone Bakery. This senior position will uphold technical standards on-site, focusing on health and safety, food safety compliance, quality assurance, and necessary accreditations. We are looking for a candidate who demands the highest standards, possesses extensive experience in production environments delivering premium-quality products, and has a thorough understanding of technical requirements, including nutritional claims and packaging. Additionally, this role will oversee R&D activities on-site, making experience with recipe trials essential. The successful candidate will be part of the leadership team at Stone Bakery, reporting to the General Manager and collaborating closely with the leadership team at BFree, including the CEO, Head of Food, and Head of Technical. Role Objectives Take full responsibility for the technical and R&D oversight of Stone Bakery. Ensure that Stone Bakery meets and exceeds the standards required for third-party independent customer audits. Manage food safety compliance, ensuring allergen safety, nutritional claims, and shelf life adhere to brand due diligence requirements. Collaborate with BFree\’s technical, innovation, and commercial teams on product and packaging quality attributes, developing robust claims that comply with regulatory requirements in all regions. Drive the approval process for raw materials and designated suppliers, ensuring conformity and compliance with TACCP/VACCP risk assessments. Assist in the development of a comprehensive TACCP/VACCP risk assessment for BFree products in collaboration with both BFree teams and copackers, as well as nominated raw material, blend, or packaging suppliers. Lead product recall and withdrawal teams, conducting scheduled challenges and ensuring completion of mass balance and trace exercises. Own and advance the quality agenda, along with the development and implementation of a comprehensive Quality and Food Safety Program. Build and maintain strong, effective working relationships with all customer departments, including R&D, Technical, Procurement, Planning, Commercial, and Marketing. Implement a Critical Food Safety Risk Assessment process for all products produced at Stone Bakery. Ensure compliance with legal and brand requirements to produce safe, high-quality products. Lead and manage onsite QA and hygiene teams, overseeing R&D and technical trials. Develop and share best practices while monitoring emerging issues and initiatives that impact food safety and product quality. Competencies for the Role A minimum of 5 years of quality management experience in a food manufacturing environment, preferably in a ‘free from’ production setting. Knowledge and experience in implementing quality systems, including the BRC Global Food Safety Standard and retailer-specific standards. Strong understanding of HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, and food fraud prevention. Comprehensive regulatory knowledge related to both product and process. A commitment to maintaining the highest standards and a willingness to challenge the status quo when necessary. Ability to think critically about quality risks and make informed decisions. Proven ability to provide guidance and motivation to others, complemented by excellent communication, interpersonal, and people management skills. A proactive self-starter capable of working towards critical path targets. Significant leadership experience in a technical role within the food industry. Experience in managing relationships with UK retailers. Our Values Think Customer – you will put the customer at the heart of all decision-making. Show and Earn Respect – to get respect, you must show respect. Own it and Deliver – you will be personally accountable for what you do and for on-time delivery. Work as One – to go far you will pull together with others. Keep it Simple – you will keep it simple to deliver sustainable growth and profitability. Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type Full-time Job function Manufacturing Industries Food and Beverage Manufacturing #J-18808-Ljbffr