Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage product quality and safety for own brand and vendor suppliers.
- Company: Join Brakes, a leading foodservice business with a commitment to quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and customer satisfaction in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree in Food Science/Technology and experience in QA/QC required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career progression within Sysco, with exciting perks and discounts.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Brakes are currently recruiting for a Technical Manager to join the Merchandising team on a full time, permanent basis, reporting to the Head of Product Technology. As the Technical Manager you will work as part of a merchandising category team and manage all elements relating to Product Quality, Safety, Legality, and Integrity for a portfolio of own brand and vendor brand suppliers and products ensuring a comprehensive technical support service is provided. This role is offering a hybrid working contract, with 1 day per week in our Ashford, Kent office for Team Collaboration, so you must be in a commutable distance and open to travel. The earliest start date for this role is 1st July.
Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:
- Provide support, guidance and expertise to the procurement & category team in context of supplier selection, supplier expertise, product quality attributes and control parameters which will successfully contribute to exceeding customer expectations, growing sales and profit.
- Support the European sourcing initiative to deliver against the annual growth targets.
- Stay abreast of industry challenges, issues and developments, sharing insight within the technical, category & procurements teams to mitigate impact and support sales growth.
- Effective supplier management from initial selection & approval, setting clear technical expectations, providing guidance & support, issuing performance updates and instigate joint business/improvement plans.
- Maintain the own brand approved supplier database, complete initial approval and routine surveillance audits ensuring visit reports are documented and all non-conformances are effectively closed out.
- Maintain up to date specifications for all products.
- Generate and approve own brand artwork.
- Instigate product risk management action plan & develop an awareness of emerging issues, escalating within the business to mitigate business and customer impact.
- Focus on complaint trending, monitoring & root cause analysis, working with suppliers to support the annual KPI.
- Instigate a robust quality assessment programme for product range.
- Provide support & input to ensure marketing literature is informative for our customers.
- Work closely with product development on new product launches, brand changes, product changes, tiering including first production runs where required.
- Deliver innovative technical solutions which add value to the business in areas such as cost reduction and/or improved quality without cost increase.
About you:
The ideal candidate must have a technical background and have a full understanding within a food service / fast-paced technical team (QA/QC) with a relevant degree in Food Science/Technology. You will have demonstrable industry experience and knowledge of QMS, European and UK Legislations and HACCP. It is key to have excellent communication skills as you will be customer focused and be well organised and use effective project management skills. You will show tenacity and a desire to follow things through to completion, with strong planning and organisational skills, and a high attention to detail. It is highly desirable to have a Lead assessor qualification and supplier and product management experience.
What you’ll receive:
- A competitive salary
- Car Allowance of £5,500 per annum.
- Private Medical healthcare
- Generous holiday allowance, with option to purchase 5 additional holiday days
- Pension scheme
- Hybrid working contract
- Huge discounts on all sorts of lovely food and award-winning products through our staff shop
- Discounts on Cinema tickets, shopping and earn cashback on purchases through Sodexo.
- Recognition awards and Incentives
- Career progression opportunities - being part of Sysco, the world’s leading foodservice business, opens up a world of possibility
Technical Manager employer: Brakes
Contact Detail:
Brakes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and regulations in food safety and quality management systems. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in a fast-paced industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food service and technical management sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities within their organisations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and product quality in your previous roles. Highlighting your experience with QMS and HACCP will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your project management skills by discussing any relevant projects you've led or contributed to. Be ready to explain how you ensured compliance with regulations and maintained high standards of product integrity.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in quality assurance, supplier management, and technical expertise in food science or technology. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention specific experiences that align with the responsibilities listed, such as managing product quality or working with suppliers.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have a Lead assessor qualification or experience with QMS, European and UK legislations, or HACCP, make sure to emphasise these in your application. This will show that you meet the essential criteria for the position.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication skills are crucial for this role, consider including examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to effectively collaborate with teams and manage supplier relationships.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brakes
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Technical Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your technical knowledge in food science and quality assurance. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience that highlight your understanding of QMS, HACCP, and relevant legislations.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage supplier relationships. Think of scenarios where you've successfully handled product quality issues or implemented improvements, and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Since the role requires effective communication with various teams, prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with procurement, product development, and suppliers in the past. Use examples that showcase your ability to convey complex information clearly.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
The job demands strong planning and organisational abilities. Be ready to share how you manage multiple projects simultaneously, including any tools or methods you use to stay organised and ensure deadlines are met.
