At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the hygiene team and ensure food safety standards in our Puddings Kitchen.
- Company: Join COOK, a family-owned B Corp dedicated to quality food and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible hours, and fantastic perks like free food and paid volunteer time.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team where everyone’s story matters.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety while working in a supportive and caring environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing hygiene and HACCP systems is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
- Technical Services Manager - Puddings Kitchen
- Location
- Ilton – Sommerset
- Salary
- Hours
- Monday – 40hrs per week mainly Monday to Friday but with some flexibility to meet the business needs
At COOK, we make remarkable food for your freezer using quality ingredients and a lot of care. As a certified
B Corp
, we believe business can be a force for good - for our people, communities and the planet.
We are looking for a practical, people-focused
Technical Services Manager to help our Puddings Kitchen produce food that is safe, legal and consistently high quality, reporting in to the Head Of Technical Operations
The role
You will take day-to-day ownership of our HACCP system, Kitchen Standards and prerequisite programmes, while leading and developing the hygiene team.
You will also oversee Listeria controls, environmental monitoring, pest and waste management, calibration, and essential technical services.
This is a hands‑on role.
You will work alongside the teams making our puddings, helping them understand why standards matter, demonstrating good practice and making sure improvements are effective and sustainable.
What you will do
- Keep the site's
HACCP system current, accurate and effective.
- Embed Kitchen Standards and prerequisite controls in everyday production.
- Lead, coach and develop the hygiene team.
- Maintain practical cleaning schedules and oversee cleaning validation and verification.
- Manage the environmental monitoring programme and lead
- Listeria investigations
- Carry out audits, inspections and root-cause investigations.
- Make sure corrective actions are completed and prevent issues from recurring.
- Coordinate pest control, waste services, calibration and relevant contractors.
- Maintain clear records and produce useful reports on performance and trends.
- Work closely with Production, Engineering, Technical and site leadership to solve problems.
- Raise purchase orders, review relevant invoices and follow services and supplies through to completion.
- Be Part of site Leadership Team and build relationships at all levels of the business.
- What we are looking for
- Experience leading a hygiene team within food manufacturing.
- Practical Listeria-control experience in a ready-to-eat environment
, including environmental monitoring and investigations.
- Experience maintaining and implementing HACCP and prerequisite programmes.
- A good understanding of contamination risks, segregation, cleaning methods, chemicals, validation and verification.
- Experience conducting audits, investigating non-conformances and delivering lasting corrective action.
- Strong organisation, attention to detail and confidence interpreting data.
- A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to teach, coach and respectfully challenge others.
Experience in desserts, dairy, chilled bakery or a similar ready-to-eat operation would be helpful. Food science, HACCP or recognised food-safety qualifications are also desirable.
If you tick most of these boxes but not all—don’t stress. We’re all about potential.
- Excellent Benefits including
- Additional leave
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Employee mentoring programme
- Free flu jabs
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid volunteer time
- Profit sharing
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
- Store discount
- Work from home
- What Cook is About
We’re a proudly independent, family-owned B Corp, which basically means we care.
A lot.
About our food.
About our people.
And about doing the right thing—even when it’s not the easy thing.
Our vision for COOK has always been that we are a place where EVERYONE is welcome.
We want everyone to feel like they belong at COOK.
We all have different roles, different abilities and different personalities.
By collaborating we can do remarkable things.
Whatever your story, if you would like to grow with COOK.
Technical Services Manager in Ilminster employer: COOK
At COOK, we pride ourselves on being more than just a food retailer; we are a community-focused, B-Corp-certified business that values sustainability and the well-being of our employees. As a Casual Driver in Muswell Hill, you will enjoy excellent benefits such as paid breaks, birthday leave, and a generous staff discount, all while working in a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and teamwork. Join us to be part of a family-owned company where your contributions truly matter and where we celebrate diversity and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Services Manager in Ilminster
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like COOK.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
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We think you need these skills to ace Technical Services Manager in Ilminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at COOK, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at COOK.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to COOK. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at COOK. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at COOK
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to COOK’s mission.
