Category Technical Manager (FOOD) in London

This innovative and fast-growing food brand has built a strong reputation for bringing exciting international flavours and convenient meal solutions to consumers across the UK and beyond. Combining category expertise with a relentless focus on quality, authenticity and innovation, the business has successfully established a diverse grocery portfolio spanning ambient, chilled and frozen products, available through major retailers, health food outlets, online channels and international markets.

With ambitious growth plans and an expanding global footprint, the business continues to invest in its products, supply chain and people. To support this growth, they are seeking a talented Category Technical Manager to take ownership of technical standards across a varied portfolio of frozen and ambient products sourced from an international supply base.

This is a hybrid role- 3 days in London, combined with the opportunity for international travel and close collaboration with manufacturing partners across Asia and Europe.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Technical, this is a highly visible and influential role responsible for ensuring the quality, safety, legality and authenticity of an exciting range of internationally inspired grocery products. Working across both frozen and ambient categories, you will play a key role in maintaining the highest technical standards whilst supporting continued product innovation and business growth.

• You'll oversee supplier approval and performance management, building strong relationships with manufacturing partners and driving continuous improvement across the supply base.
• From conducting supplier reviews and food safety audits to analysing trends in customer complaints and product testing, you will ensure risks are identified, investigated and effectively managed.
• The role will also have significant involvement in NPD and EPD activity, providing technical leadership throughout the development process.
• Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will support product launches from concept through to market, attending factory trials, reviewing specifications and artwork, and ensuring products consistently meet both brand standards and regulatory requirements.
• Alongside day-to-day technical responsibilities, you will support the development of the broader technical strategy, champion food safety culture across the business and help develop more junior members of the technical team.

The Person

Degree qualified in Food Science or a related discipline, you will have gained at least six years' technical experience within food manufacturing, retail or branded food businesses. Experience managing frozen and/or ambient food categories will be particularly valuable, alongside a strong understanding of food safety, microbiology, supplier management and food regulations.

You will be confident working with a global supplier base and have experience building strong partnerships across different cultures and markets. Exposure to international sourcing and manufacturing environments, particularly within Asia, would be highly advantageous, as would a willingness to travel overseas when required.

Strong stakeholder management skills are essential, enabling effective collaboration with suppliers, customers and internal teams alike. Combining excellent attention to detail with a commercial mindset, you will be comfortable balancing day-to-day technical challenges whilst contributing to longer-term strategic objectives.

Most importantly, you'll be passionate about food, curious about international cuisines and excited by the opportunity to work across a dynamic and growing grocery portfolio.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a fast growing and innovative food business where you can make a genuine impact, influence technical strategy and play a key role in supporting the next phase of growth.