TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Fresh Produce | Food Manufacturing | Multi-Site Operations The Opportunity Fresh People are recruiting for an experienced and commercially astute Technical Director to join a leading, multi-site fresh produce and food manufacturing business supplying major UK retailers. This is a high-profile senior leadership appointment with responsibility for driving technical excellence, food safety, product integrity, quality and compliance across a complex, fast-paced operational environment. Working closely with the senior leadership team, the successful candidate will provide strategic technical direction while maintaining a highly visible, hands-on approach across multiple operational sites. We are looking for an inspirational technical leader who can influence at every level, develop high-performing teams, challenge existing practices and embed a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and Right First Time performance. Key Responsibilities Provide strategic technical leadership across multiple food manufacturing and fresh produce operations. Take overall responsibility for food safety, quality, legality, product integrity and regulatory compliance. Lead, develop and empower multi-site technical and quality teams, establishing clear standards, accountability and performance expectations. Drive improvements in GMP, audit performance, technical governance and operational compliance. Build strong relationships with major UK retail customers, certification bodies, auditors and regulatory authorities. Lead the technical response to significant food safety incidents, product withdrawals, recalls and customer escalations. Partner closely with Operations, Production and Commercial teams to deliver sustainable improvements without compromising food safety or customer requirements. Implement consistent technical systems, standards and governance across multiple sites. Promote proactive risk identification, early escalation and evidence-led decision-making. Provide technical leadership and strategic input at senior management level, supporting wider business objectives and operational growth. About You You will be an established senior technical leader with a proven track record within fresh produce, chilled food, food manufacturing or a similarly demanding FMCG environment. Essential Experience & Capabilities Significant experience operating at Technical Director, Head of Technical or equivalent senior leadership level. Proven responsibility for technical standards, food safety and compliance across multiple operational sites. Strong understanding of major UK retailer technical requirements, customer audits and food safety certification standards. Demonstrable experience leading technical teams through complex audits, regulatory challenges and food safety incidents. Evidence of delivering measurable improvements in technical performance, GMP, compliance and operational culture. Strong stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to engage confidently with major retailers, senior executives and operational teams. Experience implementing consistent systems, processes and technical governance across complex operations. A collaborative, commercially aware leadership style with the confidence to challenge and influence constructively. Leadership Style Of equal importance to technical expertise is your ability to lead people and influence behaviours. We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate how they have developed and empowered teams, created accountability, challenged poor standards and delivered lasting cultural change. You will be a visible, decisive and credible leader who combines strategic thinking with operational understanding and remains calm and evidence-led when managing complex situations. Interested? If you are an experienced Technical Director or Senior technical leader looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a leading fresh produce and food manufacturing organisation, we would welcome a confidential conversation. Apply through Fresh People Limited with your CV, highlighting your multi-site leadership experience and measurable technical achievements. TPBN1_UKTJ
Technical Director in Kent employer: Fresh People Ltd
Join a dynamic fresh produce business in Bearsted, Maidstone, where your passion for product quality and data can flourish. We offer a collaborative work culture that values innovation and hands-on experience, providing you with opportunities to engage directly with growers and breeders while developing your skills in product evaluation and emerging technologies. With a focus on employee growth and exciting projects, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the fresh produce industry.
