At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food safety and quality initiatives in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a family-run business specialising in dairy-free products with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stable hours, and a chance to influence the plant-based sector.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing industry focused on natural ingredients.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing and a degree in Food Science or related field.
- Other info: Hands-on role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 46000 £ per year.
This is an opportunity to join a well-established, family-run food manufacturing business with around 30 employees, specialising in dairy-free yogurts and soft cheeses made from 100% natural ingredients. Operating since 2011, the business supplies leading plant-based brands and has recently secured a major retail contract within the Marks & Spencer Plant Kitchen range, working to the highest food safety and quality standards.
The business operates two separate manufacturing facilities:
- One dedicated to nut-based products
- One allergen-free facility for coconut-based and free-from products
We are seeking an experienced Technical Manager from a food manufacturing background to take full ownership of all technical, quality, and food safety activities across the business. This is a senior, hands-on role within a short shelf-life food environment, reporting directly to senior management. You will be responsible for ensuring all products, processes, and systems meet legal, customer, and accreditation requirements, including BRCGS, M&S, SALSA, and Organic standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Full responsibility for food safety, quality, legality, integrity, and authenticity
- Day-to-day management, training, and development of the technical team
- Supplier Quality Assurance and management of non-conformances
- Ownership and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System
- Managing HACCP systems and traceability exercises
- Preparation for and leadership of internal, external, and customer audits
- Investigation of customer complaints, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
- Raw material, packaging, and finished product specification management
- Approval of packaging, artwork, and labelling compliance
- Microbiology testing oversight and results analysis
- Technical support for NPD and product trials
- Liaising with customers, suppliers, co-manufacturers, and senior leadership
- Managing hygiene standards, laboratory activities, and technical budgets
Essential Experience & Qualifications:
- Proven experience in a Technical / Quality / Technologist role within food manufacturing
- Experience with short shelf-life food products
- Strong working knowledge of BRCGS (M&S standards experience desirable)
- Degree educated in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline
- Excellent understanding of food legislation, suppliers, and raw materials
- Confident managing audits and major retail customer requirements
- Analytical, detail-focused, and IT proficient (Excel essential)
- Proactive, hands-on leadership style
What's on Offer:
- Competitive salary of £50,000 – £55,000
- Senior, influential role within a growing food manufacturing business
- Opportunity to work within the expanding plant-based and free-from sector
- Stable, Monday–Friday working hours
Technical Manager in London employer: Pioneer Selection
Contact Detail:
Pioneer Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Manager in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the food manufacturing industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at companies you’re interested in. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with BRCGS and HACCP systems. Share specific examples of how you've improved quality management or handled audits in the past. We want to see your hands-on approach and how you can bring value to their team!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Research the company’s products, values, and recent news. Be ready to discuss how your background in food safety and quality aligns with their goals, especially in the plant-based sector. Confidence is key, so practice your responses to common questions!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us not only shows your interest but also gives you a better chance of being noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Technical Manager role. Highlight your experience in food manufacturing, especially with short shelf-life products, and showcase your knowledge of BRCGS and other relevant standards.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our family-run business. Mention your hands-on leadership style and how you can contribute to our commitment to quality and safety.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be specific about your past roles and responsibilities. We want to see your experience in managing audits, supplier quality assurance, and any technical projects you've led.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pioneer Selection
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety standards, especially BRCGS and M&S requirements. Familiarise yourself with the company's products and their unique selling points, like their dairy-free yogurts and soft cheeses. This will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and understand the industry.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Technical Manager, you'll be leading a team, so be ready to discuss your leadership style. Prepare examples of how you've managed teams in the past, particularly in a food manufacturing setting. Highlight any training or development initiatives you've implemented to improve team performance.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about HACCP systems, quality management, and supplier quality assurance. Be ready to discuss how you've handled non-conformances and customer complaints in previous roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate your analytical skills and attention to detail.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Inquire about the company's future plans in the plant-based sector or how they handle internal audits. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.