At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the management of ambient product categories and elevate supplier performance.
- Company: Join Waitrose, the largest employee-owned business in the UK, focused on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a supportive environment for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career development and a focus on work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food quality while collaborating with passionate teams.
- Qualifications: Degree in food science or equivalent experience, plus 5 years in the food industry.
The predicted salary is between 57000 - 84600 £ per year.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Impact the Future of Food Quality: Lead the charge in managing our ambient product categories and elevating supplier performance. Your expertise will be critical in upholding the renowned Waitrose standards for quality, safety, legality, and integrity. While you'll be the anchor within the Quality, Technical, and Regulatory team, you'll thrive in a collaborative environment, driving results and shaping strategy alongside our broader Own Brand and Commercial Teams.
Salary - £57,000- £84,600 per annum based on skills and experience
Contract type - This is a secondment / fixed term position until March 2027
Working pattern/flexible working - 35 hours per week. The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business.
Location - Bracknell Head Office with an expectation to travel to suppliers as required and up to 3 days in the office, however flexibility will be required.
Interviews for this role are looking to be held - End of June / Early July
The successful candidate for this role will be looking after the following areas:
- Sweet and Savoury Biscuits
- Homebaking
- Canned and packaged
Key responsibilities:
- Manage product and supplier performance in order to ensure compliance to Waitrose quality, safety, legality and integrity and all relevant Brand standards for categories of higher complexity or size to reflect the level of experience of the Technical Manager.
- Deliver the Own Brand Product Plan for the category by supporting the technical elements of all approved projects, and project managing those assigned to technical.
- You will operate in a collaborative matrix way of working across Quality & Technical, Regulatory, Policy & Compliance, Product Innovation, CPG Trading, Marketing, Customer Services, Retail and Ethics & Sustainability to deliver shared KPIs.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need:
- Degree in food science (or similar) or equivalent experience in Technical within the Food & Grocery industry
- HACCP training (Level 3), Food Safety training (Level 3) ideally Lead Assessor
- At least 5 years recent Technical experience within the food or non-food industry
- Supplier management and technical development
- Passion for product and quality
- Specialist training e.g. allergens, microbiology, specification management and product labelling legal requirements
Closing Date: June 18, 2026
Pay: £57,000.00 - £84,600.00 Annual
Contract Type: Temporary
Hours of Work: 35
Job Level: Partnership Level 6
Where You'll Be Working: Bracknell Campus, Doncastle Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YA
ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note:
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Technical Manager in Bracknell employer: John Lewis
Join Waitrose, the largest employee-owned business in the UK, where you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest standards of food quality and safety. Our Bracknell Head Office offers a collaborative work culture that values innovation and personal growth, with flexible hybrid working arrangements to support your work-life balance. As a Partner, you'll not only contribute to our success but also share in the rewards, making a meaningful impact in a supportive environment that celebrates diversity and encourages everyone to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Manager in Bracknell
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out food technology fairs and local agricultural shows. These gatherings are goldmines for meeting employers like John Lewis face-to-face. Bring your enthusiasm, and don’t be shy to ask questions about their work!
✨Join Industry-Specific Groups
Dive into social media groups and forums focused on food science and technology. Networking with professionals already in the game can help us get the inside scoop on temporary roles, including those at John Lewis.
✨Consider Seasonal Opportunities
Since this is a temporary role, keep an eye on seasonal hiring times when food companies ramp up for production cycles. Check out companies like John Lewis during these periods, as they often look for extra support.
✨Got Skills? Show Them Off!
If you’ve got a knack for lab work or product testing, create a mini portfolio of your projects and experiences. It's a great way to stand out when chatting with hiring managers at John Lewis. Plus, it’s perfect for showcasing your practical skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Manager in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:In the food science and technology field, it’s all about the nitty-gritty details. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant coursework, labs, or projects that showcase your technical skills in food processing, safety, or product development. Don't forget to mention any specific techniques or technologies you're comfortable with – they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Project:Since this is a temporary role, make your cover letter shine by focusing on your motivation and how you can contribute to John Lewis immediately. Highlight your adaptability and any relevant experiences that make you a perfect fit for this specific project – employers love to see that enthusiasm and readiness to dive straight in!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any food safety or quality control certifications, make sure they’re front and centre in your application. These badges of honour can give us – and John Lewis – confidence in your skills and commitment to maintaining high standards in the lab or in production.
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills:Food science is often a team sport, so weave in examples of how you've effectively collaborated with others during your studies or previous jobs. Whether it was group projects or internships, showcasing your ability to work well with others and communicate effectively can really strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨Brush Up on Food Safety Standards
In the food science and technology field, it's crucial to understand food safety regulations and standards, such as HACCP. Make sure you're ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous projects, even if they were part of your studies. They might ask you specific questions about handling food safely, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some hands-on assessments or scenario-based questions during your interview with John Lewis. They might put you in a situation where you have to propose a food product or troubleshoot a food safety issue on the spot, so practice thinking on your feet and explaining your process clearly.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Current Trends
Temporary roles often require you to be up-to-date with the latest trends in food technology, like sustainability or novel processing methods. Be ready to share insights on how you can contribute to John Lewis's projects or products based on your knowledge of emerging trends in the sector.
✨Highlight the Learning Experience
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly. Share examples of how you've swiftly picked up new skills or technologies in past experiences, whether in your studies or internships. Companies want to see that you can hit the ground running and make an impact, even in a short time!
