Head of Technical

Head of Technical – Oscar Mayer Group UK

Develop and lead the quality strategy within the business focusing on delivering continual positive change by the application of current and best technical practice, technology and innovation.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Operates as a member of the senior management team, with responsibility for the safety, legality and quality agendas of Ferndale Foods and customers from raw materials through to the ultimate consumer.

Nature & Scope of the Job

To provide inspirational leadership to the site team and ensure that the integrity of the business is maintained to the highest level at all times. The role acts as the conscience of the business and will hold ultimate responsibility for ensuring technical compliance within all aspects of the business including ensuring that technical policies and procedures comply with and focus on food safety, legality, quality, hygiene and other relevant standards and customer requirements.

The role includes influencing senior management and gaining their full commitment to drive continuous improvement initiatives whilst delivering improved quality and food safety conformance and complaint reduction on site.

The post requires someone who is credible in the eyes of all audiences whether that be internal colleagues and staff or external suppliers and major retailers.

Knowledge & Experience Required

• Educated to degree level in Food Technology, Food Science or Food Safety management with appropriate qualifications to demonstrate continuing professional development and competence within this field. Ideally with Lead Assessor, HACCP, Professional Trainer’s qualification and demonstrable evidence of active external network and relevant professional memberships.
• Experienced manager at a senior level, with at least 5 years technical management experience including substantial experience as lead technical manager with responsibility for technical business strategy and overall technical performance.
• Previous experience and a proven track record of managing, motivating and developing teams and individuals.
• Proven track record in change management, achieving high standards and meeting set company targets.

Principal Accountabilities

• Establish and drive technical excellence through food safety and quality standards throughout the company.
• Set and maintain ‘Due Diligence’ requirements throughout company on microbiological standards, pest control, hygiene standards, product labelling, HACCP, statutory training, temperature control, etc.
• Develop Quality Assessment process and manage product quality throughout the company.
• Responsible for compliance with all food legislation and managing all interactions with Enforcement Authorities.
• Develop and agree business wide quality KPI’s with the site team, which drive continuous improvement, and influence real issues aimed at achieving consistent manufacture to specification.
• Liaise with customers to develop quality plans and agree KPI’s appropriate to their requirements.
• Monitor hygiene and cleaning standards throughout the company and provide support where necessary to improve standards where required.
• Continually evaluate and implement improved standards of best practice and GMP throughout the business to ensure food safety compliance and gain competitive advantage through quality and reliability.
• Review all new food safety legislation and industry developments.
• Advise and set company policies/response on important issues such as Organic Foods, GMOs, Salt Reduction, Saturated Fat guidelines, other FSA initiatives, etc.
• Responsible for the monitoring of quality and auditing of all suppliers.
• Update company technical status to the site management team by generating a Technical Report on a period basis.
• Top level management of 3rd party contractors (pest control, laboratory, etc) and research association membership and panels.
• Set the strategy and be responsible (directly or indirectly) for food safety, HACCP, GMP and other technically led training identified via statutory requirements or strategic objectives.
• Pro-actively and vociferously manage the food safety element of all new product development.
• Continuously plan and prepare the business for and lead all external audits eg. BRC.
• Support the technical team and their professional development via annual personal development plans which dovetail into strategic technical objectives.
• Set and review technical targets for the technical team and ensure these are translated into annual personal objectives which are regularly reviewed and evaluated.
• Assist in the recruitment and training of technical team.
• Complete food safety and quality projects as necessary.
• Provide leadership support focused on driving costs out of the business whilst ensuring technical standards are maintained and improved upon.
• Network with other Technical management sharing manufacturing best practice and standards and own professional knowledge and development.

Person Specification

• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills both verbal and written to enable succinct report writing, presentations, active participation in meetings/audits and good general communication with groups, individual staff, customers and suppliers. Able to “sell” technical visions passionately to customers, teams and individuals, but who is prepared to listen and concede their position if a better solution is found and will tenaciously support the new way forward.
• A critical eye with an absolute focus on attention to detail.
• Logical and structured approach to guide and co-ordinate the Technical function.
• The ability to work well as part of an overall team and to work constructively and pro-actively as a member of the on-site Technical management and supervisory team.
• A pro-active approach with the ability to drive forward new initiatives in support of business development.
• An active learner keen to continue to develop self and others.
• Previous experience of third party accreditation.
• Computer Literate.

Seniority Level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment Type

• Full-time

Job Function

• Manufacturing, Management, and Product Management
• Food and Beverage Retail and Food and Beverage Services