Head of Technical in Pontefract

Our client is a UK leading food processor based near Pontefract specialising in pre prepared products, catering to places such as supermarkets and food service providers.

They are seeking a skilled and experience Head of Technical to join their team.

Your job as Head of Technical is to ensure a best in class Technical Service across all elements of the site, ensuring all products are to the high standards expected of their customers and the business is compliant with all supplier Audits.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• Day to day management of the Technical / Quality Assurance function in line with the sites Food safety and Quality Management Systems, legislative requirements and customer expectations and retailer codes of practice.
• Management of the Hygiene function in line with the sites Hygiene Management System.
• Maintain the sites Foods Safety, Quality and Hygiene Management Systems in line with legislative requirements and best practice.
• To provide technical advice to all departments and our customers.
• Provide technical leadership for site quality and manufacturing teams and to ensure effective quality management systems are in place to guarantee both food safety and legal compliance.
• Liaise closely with senior & department managers to share best practice and ensure that at all times the company's standards are maintained.
• Collect and compile information into reports and summaries to allow easy trend analysis and monitoring of important quality and food safety (customer complaints, micro results, quality control information).
• Ensuring that a thorough and effective pest prevention system is in place and is regularly inspected by a reputable contractor and that recommendations are actioned.
• Liaise with customer representatives and 3rd parties to ensure any corrective action following technical visits and audits are implemented and maintained.
• Initiate and ensure internal/external audits are conducted as per agreed schedule and any resulting non-conformances are dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Take charge of day and evening hygiene, ensuring all hygiene matters are dealt with on a daily basis to include negotiating chemical prices, ensure contract supplier terms are adhered to and ensure hygiene teams have the necessary skills & tools to do their job.
• Manage the relevant departmental budgets in partnership with Site Director & Financial Controller
• Ensure site allergen risk assessment & controls are maintained at all times.
• Take ownership & maintenance of site HACCP & TACCP plans.
• Lead a culture of brand integrity across the site, ensuring high standards in line with the expectations of the customers.
• Comply with Company Policy to ensure that adhered on all matters concerning Health and Safety, reporting any breaches as appropriate.
• Any other relevant duties required by Management or the Company.
• The role is responsible for upholding the integrity of the customers brands by ensuring all products, processes, and communications meet the company's exacting quality, safety, and ethical standards.

This includes strict adherence to customer specifications, technical policies, and brand values across sourcing, production, packaging, and labelling.

• The role requires proactive engagement with internal teams and external partners to ensure continuous compliance with the customers' requirements, prompt resolution of any brand risk issues, and alignment with customer expectations.
• Maintaining trust in the customers brands through consistent delivery of excellence is a key priority.
• The role is also responsible for the provision and support of integrity training to be compliant from induction (day one), refresher training and any amendments to integrity which the customer may choose to include as part of regular communications as part of a working relationship
• REQUIRED PERSON SPECIFICATION
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a food related subject.
• Experience of a food production environment, preferably protein based.
• Experience of quality management systems.
• Experience of HACCP & TACCP.
• Good interpersonal skills, with attention to detail.
• Good working knowledge of using Microsoft Office programmes (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Good understanding of Finance functions and processes.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing industry.
• Leadership skills and experience of motivating Teams.
• Ability to develop strong working relationships at all levels.
• Leadership skills and experience of motivating Teams.
• Demonstrates good judgement and close attention to detail.
• Demonstrable ability to embrace and adapt to change and work in an agile environment.
• Tactful, diplomatic and at ease with people at all levels.
• THE BENEFITS
• Salary: £Competitive
• 26 days holiday plus BH
• Company pension
• THE CONSULTANCY

Edwards & Pearce acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers.

Edwards & Pearce is an Equal Opportunities Employer.