Technical Director

Technical Director

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
itsu

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Ensure product safety and quality while leading a dynamic technical team.
  • Company: Join itsu, a vibrant grocery brand focused on quality and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive bonuses, health insurance, and generous holiday leave.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety and quality in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in food safety and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Work closely with the Co-Founder and enjoy free lunches!

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.

The role involves protecting the itsu [grocery] brand by ensuring product safety, quality, legality, and authenticity is maintained across the range and supply base. Responsibilities include driving an improvement in product quality and safety, reducing customer complaints, and ensuring artwork designs are compliant with regulations.

Key duties include:

  • Leading the Technical team and embedding the new structure.
  • Coaching and developing direct reports to ensure a strong succession plan.
  • Managing food safety and quality incidents effectively and timely, providing objective advice for the CEO and MDs on the correct course of action.
  • Reviewing and evolving the “itsu [grocery] food safety & quality management system” to drive continuous improvement in food safety standards and culture.
  • Maintaining BRC Agents & Brokers certification (AA grade).
  • Reviewing the Technical strategy in light of team, processes, industry issues, legislative change, and risks within the supply chain.
  • Playing an active role in the management team, keeping the business informed of emerging issues and ensuring decisions prioritise product quality and consumer safety.

Requirements include:

  • Extensive experience in food safety and technical roles with both manufacturing and retail/brand experience, across various food categories.
  • Strong knowledge of food safety, microbiology, and food regulations.
  • Experience leading a full technical function.
  • Internal and external audit experience with a deep understanding of GFSI accreditation requirements (e.g., BRC, IFS, SQF).
  • Experience working with international suppliers (Asian suppliers preferred) and willingness to travel to Asia multiple times a year.
  • Excellent attention to detail while maintaining a broader perspective.
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, capable of leading a company response to food safety or quality issues.

What we offer:

  • The chance to work directly with the Co-Founder of itsu & Pret.
  • Competitive bonus scheme.
  • 25 days holiday.
  • Health insurance.
  • Company pension scheme.
  • Free itsu lunch and 50% off at other times.

Technical Director employer: itsu

itsu offers an exceptional work environment for the Technical Director role, where you will play a pivotal part in safeguarding our brand's integrity and product quality. With a strong emphasis on employee development, competitive benefits including health insurance and generous holiday allowances, and the unique opportunity to collaborate directly with the Co-Founder, itsu fosters a culture of innovation and excellence. Join us in a dynamic setting that prioritises food safety and quality while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and meaningful contributions.
itsu

Contact Detail:

itsu Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Technical Director

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food safety and technical sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or even the hiring team at itsu. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into itsu's values and recent news. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to our mission of maintaining product safety and quality. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience with food safety and stakeholder management.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for answering competency questions. We want to hear about your past experiences, especially those involving leading teams and managing food safety incidents. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your expertise and leadership skills.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s also a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Technical Director position at itsu.

We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director

Product Safety Management
Quality Assurance
Food Safety Regulations
Microbiology Knowledge
Technical Leadership
Internal and External Auditing
GFSI Accreditation Knowledge
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills
Incident Management
Continuous Improvement
Attention to Detail
Strategic Planning
Supplier Management
Decision Making

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Technical Director role. Highlight your extensive experience in food safety and technical roles, and don’t forget to mention any leadership experience you have. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food safety and quality management. Share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in past roles, as this will resonate with us at itsu.

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Did you lead a successful audit or improve a process? We love numbers, so if you can quantify your successes, even better!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Don’t miss out!

How to prepare for a job interview at itsu

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your food safety knowledge and regulations. Familiarise yourself with the BRC Agents & Brokers certification and any recent changes in food safety standards. This will show that you're not just a candidate, but someone who genuinely understands the industry.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you coached direct reports or managed a technical function. Highlight your ability to drive improvements and handle food safety incidents effectively.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to food safety and quality management. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills, especially how you'd respond to a food safety issue. This will demonstrate your logical and confident approach.

✨Engage with the Company Culture

Research itsu's brand values and culture. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Showing that you understand their mission and are excited about contributing to it can set you apart from other candidates.

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