Technical Manager
Kinmel Bay, North Wales | Permanent | Site-based | Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours
We're excited to be recruiting for a Technical Manager to join our team at Kinmel. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced food technical leader, perfect for someone passionate about food safety, quality and building a strong technical culture.
You'll be responsible for leading and developing the site's Technical and Quality team, making sure everything we make is authentic, safe and meets legal, quality and customer standards. As part of the site leadership team, you'll lead the site through external audits and deliver a year-on-year reduction in customer non-conformances.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach and develop the site's Technical and Quality team, so everyone is safe, engaged and clear on their objectives.
- Represent Technical on the site leadership team, contributing to strategic and operational decisions, continuous improvement and business continuity.
- Act as the site's technical lead with customers during site visits, external audits and business reviews.
- Manage and maintain the site's Quality Management System (QMS), keeping it effective, up to date and aligned with group standards.
- Make sure food safety and quality governance, including HACCP, BRCGS and customer audits, keeps the site compliant and audit-ready.
- Build a culture of proactive problem-solving and root cause analysis, with right-first-time quality, open communication and recognition of technical excellence.
- Support the New Product Development (NPD) team with new product introductions, making sure they meet legal food safety and internal quality requirements.
- Develop robust technical data, reporting and horizon scanning to support evidence-based decisions and plan for emerging risks.
- Maintain hygiene standards across production, storage and ancillary areas.
- Manage the site Technical budget, including labour and agreed capital projects.
About you
- A degree in food science, food technology, microbiology or a related subject, or equivalent experience.
- Level 4 HACCP and Level 2 Health and Safety.
- Experience of leading a technical or quality team in food manufacturing.
- Experience of BRCGS audit standards and internal audit management.
- Knowledge of food labelling legislation, writing specifications and web-based customer specification systems.
- Clear communication and the confidence to build strong relationships with customers, colleagues and auditors.
Don't meet every point? Some of these can be trained or developed, so we'd still love to hear from you.
At INSPIRED, we want to inspire colleagues to join, stay, develop, and achieve, creating an inclusive and sustainable business fit for growth. One of the enablers of achieving this, is to offer competitive pay and benefits to all colleagues.
Our Total Reward Benefits include:
- Annual bonus 15%, related to personal and company performance
- Enhanced pension, life assurance, and enhanced maternity, paternity, sick pay, and holiday buy options
- People and Pets First benefits, including paw-reavement and paw-ternity leave and bring your dog to work
- Healthcare cashback plan and Hertility at-home fertility testing and Private Medical Insurance
- Heavily discounted pet food and lifestyle benefits (Netflix, Spotify, or breakdown cover)
- Retail and gym discounts, electric car scheme, and free onsite parking and electric car charging
- Onsite canteen, free hot drinks, and modern facilities
See all our INSPIRED benefits here
Inspired Benefits Book
About us
INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, well-established, and award-winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our family of brands includes Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher's, Classic, Pro-Nutrition, and Ultra Premium Direct, along with a number of partner brands that trust us to produce food on their behalf. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel, and Crick produce a wide range of dry, wet, and baked foods enjoyed by dogs and cats all over the world. Our ambition is simple: to become a global leader in pet nutrition.
Our Purpose: To create happiness
We're on a mission to set a new standard of workplace happiness within the pet nutrition industry-one that looks like no other and feels like no other. Our culture is built on INSPIRED's unique behaviours and colleague experience, creating an environment that excites, empowers, and puts people and pets at the heart of everything we do.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the colleagues and communities we serve. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected and able to be themselves at work.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We make hiring decisions based on talent, potential and the experience you bring.
We are also committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring equitable access and opportunity for all. If you need any adjustments or support to take part in our recruitment process, please let us know by emailing recruitment@inspiredpetnutrition.com
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Technical Manager - Pet Food Manufacturing employer: Inspired Pet Nutrition Ltd
At Inspired Pet Nutrition, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that values innovation and quality in pet nutrition. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and growth, offering employees the chance to lead transformative projects while enjoying competitive salaries and flexible working arrangements. Located in Thirsk, our state-of-the-art facilities provide unique opportunities for professional development and travel, making it an exciting place to advance your career in traceability systems.
Contact Details:
Inspired Pet Nutrition Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Manager - Pet Food Manufacturing
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
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Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
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While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Inspired Pet Nutrition Ltd, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Inspired Pet Nutrition Ltd specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspired Pet Nutrition Ltd
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Inspired Pet Nutrition Ltd, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Inspired Pet Nutrition Ltd value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
