Supplier Compliance Manager in Coventry

Are you an experienced food industry Technical professional who enjoys getting out from behind the desk, working directly with suppliers and helping manufacturing sites achieve the standards expected by major UK retailers?

We are recruiting a Supplier Compliance Manager for an established and successful food business based in Coventry. Working with an international supplier base, you'll play a key role in ensuring manufacturing partners consistently meet the required standards across food safety, quality, legality, authenticity and ethical compliance. This is a varied, hands-on role combining supplier auditing, supplier development, retailer compliance and technical support, with travel across the UK and Europe.

The Role

• You'll take ownership of supplier compliance across a diverse portfolio of food manufacturing sites, building strong relationships while maintaining robust technical standards.
• Your responsibilities will include:
• Conducting supplier technical audits across the UK and Europe, producing reports and managing corrective actions through to close-out.
• Completing supplier risk assessments and contributing to the annual Supplier Risk Assessment review.
• Supporting suppliers through retailer approval processes, audits and pre-production visits.
• Providing practical guidance around retailer Codes of Practice and technical standards.
• Working closely with Commercial colleagues, providing insight into the technical capability and suitability of existing and prospective suppliers.
• Managing SEDEX and ethical compliance, working with supplier sites to ensure appropriate standards and audits are maintained.
• Monitoring food fraud alerts, incidents and emerging supplier risks.
• Managing the internal audit programme.
• Maintaining strong communication and relationships with customer Technical teams.
• Supporting specifications and pack-copy activity using retailer online systems.
• Delivering internal technical training where required.
• Supporting the wider Technical team during periods of increased activity.

About You

We're ideally looking for someone with experience within bakery or ambient food manufacturing, giving you a strong understanding of the technical standards, supplier challenges and retailer expectations associated with these categories. You'll have a solid grounding in food manufacturing Technical/Quality and ideally bring:

• Bakery or ambient food manufacturing experience highly desirable.
• Experience within supplier approval, supplier assurance, supplier compliance or raw material technical management.
• Proven auditing capability; supplier, factory, BRCGS and/or retailer auditing experience would be particularly relevant.
• Good working knowledge of major UK retailer standards and Codes of Practice.
• Strong factory knowledge and a practical understanding of food manufacturing processes.
• The confidence to challenge suppliers constructively while building positive working relationships and helping them improve.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with suppliers, customers and internal Commercial teams.
• Knowledge of SEDEX and ethical compliance would be advantageous.
• An organised, detailed and pragmatic approach.
• The flexibility and willingness to travel throughout the UK and Europe.

You may currently be working as a Supplier Assurance Manager, Supplier Technical Manager, Supplier Compliance Manager, Technical Manager, Technical Services Manager, Raw Materials Manager or be an experienced food industry auditor looking for a broader supplier-facing opportunity.

Why Consider It?

This is an opportunity to join a successful food business where culture, collaboration and long-term relationships really matter. You'll have exposure to international suppliers, major UK retailers and the wider commercial business, with the autonomy to work directly with manufacturing partners, influence standards and make a tangible difference to supplier performance. Rather than being permanently factory-based, you'll enjoy a varied role combining office and home working with supplier visits and travel, while becoming an integral part of a supportive, close-knit team.

Location: Coventry

Salary: Competitive + Benefits

Working pattern: Full-time, permanent | Hybrid working

Travel: UK & Europe

If you're an experienced food Technical professional with a passion for supplier compliance, auditing and building strong supplier relationships, we'd love to hear from you.