About The Role
Technical Manager – Dairy and Food Manufacturing
Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire | Permanent | 40 hours per week
Salary: £48,000 – £54,000 DOE, enhanced pension (6.5% employee, 7.0% Employer)
Benefits: Health & Wellbeing Cashback Scheme, Private Medical Insurance after 2 years
Reports to: Operations Director
Technical excellence matters. Great leadership matters just as much.
Cotteswold Dairy is an independent family-owned dairy, established in 1938. We are looking for an experienced Technical Manager to lead food safety, quality, legal compliance and continuous improvement at our Tewkesbury operation.
This is a senior and highly influential role. You will own our technical standards, including BRCGS, HACCP, external and customer audits, quality systems, technical compliance, complaints, laboratory oversight and audit readiness. You will also lead a Technical and Laboratory function of approximately 15 colleagues, including the Laboratory Manager and Supervisor, Laboratory Technicians, Quality & Technical Assistants, and Technical Administrator.
We need both halves.
You must be technically credible within food manufacturing and confident leading BRCGS audits, HACCP and food-safety systems. But we are equally interested in how you lead people.
We want a visible, approachable manager who gets to know their team, coaches and develops people, sets clear expectations and builds trust. You should be comfortable challenging poor standards or behaviours without creating a blame culture, and capable of developing a genuine one-team mentality across Technical, Laboratory and Operations.
Key responsibilities
- Lead food safety, quality assurance and technical/legal compliance across the site.
- Maintain an audit-ready culture every day, not just before an external audit.
- Lead preparation for and hosting of BRCGS, customer, accreditation and other relevant audits, including Halal requirements where applicable.
- Maintain and continually improve HACCP and food-safety management systems.
- Lead root-cause investigations, corrective actions and continuous improvement.
- Oversee laboratory operations and work closely with the Laboratory Manager and Supervisor.
- Coach, support and develop managers, supervisors and members of the wider Technical/Laboratory team.
- Work collaboratively with Production, Warehouse and the wider management team, positively challenging where standards need to improve.
About you
You will bring:
- Significant Technical/Quality experience in food manufacturing/FMCG.
- Strong practical knowledge of BRCGS and personal experience of external audits.
- Experience in a high-risk/high-care, chilled or comparable food environment.
- HACCP Level 3 and Food Safety Level 3.
- Internal/external auditing experience.
- Previous management and leadership experience with evidence that you have coached and developed people.
- Strong problem-solving, root-cause, communication and influencing skills.
- A food-related Degree/HND or equivalent.
Dairy experience would be particularly valuable, although strong candidates from comparable food manufacturing environments are encouraged to apply.
Cotteswold Dairy succeeds through Team Cotteswold: teamwork, empathetic people management, high standards and valuing the people around us.
If you are looking for a role where you can lead the function, develop the people, raise standards and make a long-term impact, we would like to hear from you.
Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, close to M5 Junction 9 and commutable from Cheltenham, Gloucester, Worcester, Evesham, Pershore, Malvern, Ledbury and surrounding areas.
About Us
Since 1938, Cotteswold Dairy has flourished from a modest milk round—into one of the UK’s most respected independent, family-run dairies, rooted in Tewkesbury. Built on the founding values of quality, service, and cleanliness, the business has remained committed to those principles spanning three generations, now under the leadership of Managing Director George Workman.
Today, we process, pack, and deliver over 100 million litres of milk and dairy products each year to doorstep customers and businesses across England and Wales, operating from multiple depots and a modern production site in Tewkesbury.
At our heart lies a strong ethical and environmental commitment. We partner with local farms within a 60-mile radius, many Red Tractor-certified promoting sustainable farming practices, animal welfare, and minimal environmental impact. We’ve championed eco-friendly initiatives for decades, including returnable glass bottles, electric milk floats, telematics for efficient logistics, and zero waste-to-landfill operations.
More than a business, Cotteswold Dairy is a values-driven community dedicated to delivering wholesome, high-quality dairy products while nurturing people, our communities, and our planet—making us a compelling and meaningful place to build your career.
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Technical Manager – Dairy Food Manufacturing in Tewkesbury employer: Cotteswold Dairy Ltd
Cotteswold Dairy is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture in our state-of-the-art Tewkesbury warehouse. With competitive pay, including overtime rates, and opportunities for personal and professional growth, we prioritise the well-being of our team members while fostering a family-oriented environment that values hard work and dedication.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Manager – Dairy Food Manufacturing in Tewkesbury
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
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✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
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While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Cotteswold Dairy Ltd, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Cotteswold Dairy Ltd specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cotteswold Dairy Ltd
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Cotteswold Dairy Ltd, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Cotteswold Dairy Ltd value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
