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- Tasks: Lead technical and quality strategies across multiple food manufacturing sites.
- Company: High-growth ambient food manufacturer in Hampshire with a clear expansion plan.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and excellent benefits.
- Why this job: Shape and modernise technical systems while influencing business growth.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science or related field; experience in technical leadership required.
- Other info: Opportunity for long-term career progression in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
A high-growth ambient food manufacturing site in Hampshire is entering a significant expansion phase and is seeking an experienced Technical Leader to join its senior leadership team. The business produces a range of branded and private label ambient products for major UK retailers and international markets. Following recent capital investment and with a clear three-year growth strategy in place, the sites are positioned to substantially increase revenue and operational capability. To support this next stage of development, the Head of Technical is required to lead and evolve the site’s technical and quality agenda.
This is a senior multi-site leadership role with full accountability for food safety, quality and regulatory compliance.
Key responsibilities:- Leading all sites Quality & Food Safety Strategy
- Ensuring full compliance with BRC standards and all customer Codes of Practice
- Acting as the primary contact for retailer technologists, audits and regulatory inspections
- Managing the introduction of new product lines from a technical and compliance perspective
- Driving continuous improvement across GMP, hygiene, allergen management and pest control
- Analysing quality and food safety metrics to identify trends and deliver measurable improvement
- Generating internal management review documentation and external customer technical reports
- Leading technical investigations in partnership with production and engineering
- Contributing to Capex discussions, process improvements and equipment selection
- Reviewing and optimizing the site’s technical structure and resource deployment
The role works closely with NPD, Engineering, Manufacturing, Commercial teams, raw material and packaging suppliers, third-party service providers and customer technical stakeholders.
The person:We are seeking a technically strong leader with:
- Degree qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline
- Demonstrable experience in a similar technical leadership role within fast-paced food manufacturing, beverages or FMCG
- Strong practical knowledge of BRC and retailer compliance frameworks
- HACCP and Food Safety qualifications (minimum Level 2, ideally advanced)
- Experience managing complex retailer technical relationships
- Strong analytical capability and data-led decision making
- Confidence in challenging existing systems and driving improvement
- Ability to operate effectively under tight deadlines and multiple priorities
- Excellent stakeholder management across operational and commercial teams
- Clear and confident communication at all levels
- A structured, logical approach to problem solving
- Experience within ambient and fresh categories would be advantageous.
- Senior leadership influence within a growing business
- Clear strategic growth trajectory
- Opportunity to shape and modernise the technical systems and agenda
- Long-term career progression potential
This opportunity will suit an ambitious Senior Technical Manager who thrives in a growth environment and wants to play a meaningful role in delivering the next chapter of business performance.
To apply, please email your CV in confidence to kate.hamilton@hprtalent.com
Head of Technical employer: HPRExecutive
Contact Detail:
HPRExecutive Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technical
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get you in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. We want to see you shine, so know their values and how your experience aligns with their goals. It shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. It’ll help you articulate your achievements clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can set you apart from other candidates. We love seeing candidates who are proactive and enthusiastic about the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technical
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Head of Technical role. Highlight your technical leadership experience in food manufacturing and any relevant qualifications, like HACCP or BRC compliance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for food safety and quality, and how your previous experiences have prepared you to lead our technical agenda.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on measurable achievements. Did you improve compliance metrics or drive significant improvements in quality? We want to see how you've made an impact in your previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at HPRExecutive
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of BRC standards and food safety regulations. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous roles, as well as any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multi-site teams. Think about specific situations where you drove improvements or managed complex relationships with retailers. This will demonstrate your capability to lead the technical agenda effectively.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role requires strong analytical skills, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to make decisions or improve processes. Discuss any metrics you've tracked and how they influenced your strategies in food safety and quality.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You’ll need to communicate with various stakeholders, so being able to convey complex technical information in an understandable way is crucial. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your communication style.