At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical strategy and ensure food safety across a major retail category.
- Company: Join a leading business with a strong brand reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive package, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to travel and collaborate across teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product quality and customer relationships in a high-profile role.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in food manufacturing and strong leadership skills required.
We're partnering with a leading business seeking an exceptional Senior Technical Manager to take ownership of technical strategy across its category. This is a high-profile leadership role where you'll influence sourcing, product quality, customer relationships, and food safety performance - playing a pivotal part in protecting and enhancing a trusted brand reputation.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Act as the primary technical contact for major retail customers, managing food safety, quality, integrity, complaints, product rejections, and crisis situations with confidence and professionalism.
- Lead and enhance technical and food safety standards across the category, ensuring full compliance with legislative, customer, and internal quality requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement through KPI analysis, corrective action management, and step-change projects in collaboration with leading industry institutes and centres of excellence.
- Oversee product launches, performance reviews, and specification management for raw materials and finished goods, ensuring products are delivered right first time and to specification.
- Build strong partnerships with growers and suppliers, visiting source locations to ensure compliance with company and customer policies while securing the best product quality, variety, size, and colour.
- Influence pre-season and in-season sourcing decisions, managing seasonal transitions and benchmarking activities to maintain competitive advantage and product consistency.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Commercial, Procurement, Operations, and Compliance teams to align technical strategy with market demands and innovation opportunities.
- Lead, coach, and develop the Product Manager and Technical Assistant, fostering a high-performance culture and clear communication across the business.
What We're Looking For:
- Extensive experience within fresh produce or food manufacturing, with strong technical knowledge.
- Proven track record of managing major retail customer relationships and delivering exceptional technical and food safety standards.
- Demonstrated success in driving continuous improvement, KPI performance, and quality enhancement initiatives.
- Strong leadership experience with the ability to motivate, develop, and influence teams across multiple functions.
- Excellent planning, organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to thrive under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to growers, suppliers, and customer locations as required.
If you believe you have the skills and personality to fit these requirements please either apply via this advert or call Henderson Brown for more information.
Senior Technical Manager employer: Henderson Brown Recruitment
Henderson Brown Recruitment is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Portsmouth that values flexibility and competitive pay for its Multi Skilled Maintenance Engineer role. With a strong focus on employee growth and development within the FMCG sector, the company fosters a collaborative culture where innovative ideas are encouraged, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
Contact Details:
Henderson Brown Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Manager
✨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 Henderson Brown Recruitment.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Henderson Brown Recruitment!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Henderson Brown Recruitment, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at Henderson Brown Recruitment, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Henderson Brown Recruitment, 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 Henderson Brown Recruitment.
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 Henderson Brown Recruitment. 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 Henderson Brown Recruitment. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Brown Recruitment
✨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 Henderson Brown Recruitment’s mission.
