Technical Manager Food Manufacturing in Newnham, Gloucestershire

The Technical Manager is responsible for all aspects of the technical operation throughout the company. They provide technical expertise and support to all employees and customers and are responsible for the efficient, safe and economical use of resources within existing legislation. The Technical Manager will develop and oversee all of the food safety regulations, policies, and procedures. They will help to develop, implement and enforce security and food safety standards, policies, and regulatory programs, regulatory audits, food safety training programs, standard operating procedures (SOPs), product inspections, and standardized work instructions to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements for the production of safe and wholesome food.

The position requires a comprehensive knowledge of, and experience in, technical operations as well as good inter-personal and communication skills. The Technical Manager post is a senior position within the management structure and the post-holder is expected to contribute towards the development and achievement of the company’s strategic and operational targets and overall business aims. The Technical Manager will work with the management team to embed sustainable and environmentally-friendly working practices at the heart of the company’s operations and planning.

The job role may include other duties/tasks from time to time. The role carries direct managerial responsibility for the technical, production and maintenance activities.

Key Aspects of this Role Include:

• Coordinating the Technical / Quality assurance team;
• Developing and managing the Technical / Quality systems to achieve a BRC Grade A certification and pass grades for all the other certifying bodies namely: Organic, MSC, Freedom Foods, Kosher, SEG, etc.;
• Responsibility for product quality, food safety and staff training of these key areas to satisfy customer expectations;
• Responsibility for the technical / quality aspect of new product development once in production on the factory floor;
• Ensuring that any customers technical / QA demands are supplied in an accurate and timely manner;
• Hosting site audits and conducting food and safety related inspections;
• Keeping abreast of changes in technology, legislation and customer requirements to ensure that the company is always fully conversant with the latest information;
• Ensuring that all products produced across all production areas are food safe and conform to the intended product design, quality and legislation;
• Daily maintenance of the HACCP system and other safety information and documentation;
• Directing the technical, quality and product safety components of all new build projects through quality planning, specifications development and project oversight for compliance with company technical and quality standards;
• Responsibility for conducting investigations and ensuring necessary actions are taken and communicated for safety compliance matters including customer complaints, accidents, risk assessments, insurance claims etc., to prevent their reoccurrence;
• Building and managing a sustainable QA, Technical and maintenance function through training, mentoring and coaching to achieve a fully qualified and skilled team to cover all the tasks and duties necessary to reach the company’s targets in the event of the Technical Manager or any other member of the Technical, QA or maintenance team absence;
• Responsibility that both technical and quality assurance remain a commercial department;
• Responsibility that Technical and quality systems do not become an office-based department, ensure that it actively engages production not in a Police style role but with positive encouragement.

Production Responsibilities:

• Ensure production/quality processes, equipment being used and the working environments are all conducive to producing a high-quality product/service through regular visits and audits of all production areas;
• Monitor production activity to ensure that the appropriate manufacturing methods are employed and that sufficient due care is taken in order to meet the customers build and quality specifications through regular visits and audits of all production areas;
• Ensure rejected product/non-conformance is rectified as high priority and that customers are kept informed accordingly;
• Ensure the correct non-conformance paperwork is raised and processed with every reject;
• To actively attend weekly production meetings and report any major issues to the Group Technical Manager.

As a Technical Manager You Will Also Be Expected To:

• Ensure non-value-added activity is reduced in all manufacturing processes by using appropriate tools and techniques;
• Manage change to meet current business requirements;
• Implement manufacturing improvement processes and systems to reduce inventory, increase throughput and minimise costs;
• Promote and uphold company performance standards and ideology (on time delivery, quality, lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, housekeeping & work ethic);
• Identify and develop internal candidates within QA, Technical and maintenance department for advancement or promotion into evermore challenging roles within the company through training, provision of practical, tailored work, shared experience, knowledge, skills and abilities;
• Maintain a flexible approach to the Technical Manager role and provide suitable cover as and when required for other remits.