At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical functions and ensure food safety and quality at a major UK site.
- Company: Major UK packing and preparation site with a focus on fresh produce.
- Benefits: Very competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape standards and drive excellence in a high-profile, customer-facing role.
- Qualifications: Experience in fresh produce or chilled foods and strong customer-facing skills.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to innovation and quality.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
For a complete understanding of this opportunity, and what will be required to be a successful applicant, read on.
Client: Major UK Packing & Preparation Site
Salary: Very Competitive + Benefits
Are you a proven technical leader in fresh produce or chilled food manufacturing, ready to take ownership of a major UK site (£2m+ upgrade) supplying top UK and EU retailers? This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-profile, customer-facing role where you’ll shape standards, lead a talented technical team, and represent the business at the highest level.
We’re looking for a Senior Technical Manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds strong retailer relationships, and drives excellence in food safety, quality, and compliance every single day.
About the RoleAs Senior Technical Manager, you will be the technical lead for one of the UK’s most important fresh-produce packing and preparation sites. You’ll oversee all aspects of food safety, quality, and compliance, ensuring products meet the exacting standards of major UK and EU supermarkets.
You’ll work closely with operations, commercial, agronomy, compliance and supply chain teams, while acting as the primary technical contact for key retail customers. This is a role for someone who enjoys being visible, influential, and deeply involved in both strategy and day-to-day performance.
What You’ll Be Doing- Leading the site technical function, including QA, hygiene, specifications, compliance teams.
- Owning the Food Safety & Quality Management System and ensuring full compliance with BRCGS, retailer COPs, and UK/EU legislation.
- Hosting and leading customer visits, audits, and technical reviews with major retailers.
- Driving continuous improvement across quality, food safety, waste reduction, and right-first-time performance.
- Managing raw material quality and working closely with growers and suppliers.
- Supporting NPD and process development to ensure safe, compliant, and commercially viable launches.
- Leading incident management, root-cause investigations, and corrective action plans.
- Senior technical or quality leadership experience within fresh produce, chilled foods, or high-care FMCG.
- Strong customer-facing experience with major UK retailers (Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Asda, etc.).
- Deep knowledge of food safety legislation, BRCGS, and retailer Codes of Practice.
- A confident communicator who can build trust with customers and internal teams.
- A proactive, solutions-focused leader who thrives in a dynamic, seasonal environment.
- Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Agriculture, or similar (preferred but not essential).
- Lead the technical agenda at a flagship UK site.
- High visibility with major retail customers.
- Opportunity to shape standards, culture, and continuous improvement.
- Work with a passionate, collaborative team in a business that values innovation and quality.
Senior Technical Manager - Fresh Produce (Customer-Facing) employer: Fmk consulting
Contact Detail:
Fmk consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Manager - Fresh Produce (Customer-Facing)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. We want you to show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the perfect fit for their team. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence. We suggest focusing on common questions related to food safety and quality management, so you’re ready to impress.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We believe it shows your enthusiasm and professionalism, which is exactly what they’re looking for.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Manager - Fresh Produce (Customer-Facing)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Technical Manager role. Highlight your experience in fresh produce and chilled food manufacturing, and don’t forget to showcase your customer-facing skills with major UK retailers.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific achievements in food safety and quality management that align with what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! In your application, share examples of how you've led teams in fast-paced environments and driven continuous improvement in food safety and compliance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at our flagship site.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fmk consulting
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety legislation, BRCGS standards, and retailer Codes of Practice. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the requirements but also passionate about maintaining high standards in fresh produce.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led technical teams in the past, especially in fast-paced environments. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you drove continuous improvement in quality and compliance. This will demonstrate your capability to lead at a major UK site.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role is customer-facing, be ready to talk about your experience working with major UK retailers. Highlight how you've built trust and strong relationships with clients, as well as how you’ve handled audits and technical reviews. This will show that you can represent the business effectively.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
Prepare to discuss how you've tackled problems in previous roles, particularly around incident management and root-cause investigations. Employers love a proactive leader who can think on their feet and come up with effective solutions, so have some solid examples ready to share.