At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure food safety and quality while managing supplier relationships and improving processes.
- Company: Join Pret A Manger, a leader in fresh food and coffee across 20+ countries.
- Benefits: Enjoy a Gold Card for free drinks, 33 days annual leave, and private medical cover.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth, diversity, and community impact through The Pret Foundation.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team making a real impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in food science or technology with 10+ years in food technical roles.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Senior Technical Manager role at Pret A Manger. We’re Pret: proud makers of freshly made food, organic coffee, and big ideas. Across 750+ shops and 20+ countries, our teams are shaping the future of Pret through innovation, inclusion, great customer service and a shared passion for doing the right thing. We’re growing fast on our mission to be the employer of choice in hospitality, everywhere we operate – so this is an exciting time to hop on board.
We Believe in Growing Good Things. Growth is at the heart of everything we do. From the freshly hand‑made food we create every day, to supporting our teams, we help our people grow in confidence, skills and to pursue their unique paths. Pret is where passionate, hardworking, wonderful people find what they need to shine.
What we’re looking for: We’re looking for passionate team players to bring joy to our customers every day. As our Senior Technical Manager (UK), you’ll play a critical role behind the scenes—making sure everything we serve is safe, legal and true to Pret’s high standards. The Food Technical Team exists to ensure that all food in the UK meets Pret standards, legal requirements and food safety expectations. This is achieved by establishing, maintaining, reviewing and continuously improving the systems, processes and standards that underpin food safety and due diligence.
As Senior Technical Manager UK, you’ll manage supply base quality and supply issues, equip Pret with the right tools to continuously improve the quality of inbound products and ingredients, and provide expert guidance on food safety and quality across our shops. You’ll be part of the UK Technical Team, safeguarding the reputation of the Pret brand - quality, safety and legality - while supporting Pret’s approach to food through robust food science and effective supply base management. The role delivers strong oversight of food safety, quality and legality across the UK and Ireland and reports to the Head of Technical UK & EU within the Food Commercial Team.
Key responsibilities:
- Maintaining a technical relationship with food suppliers
- Driving continuous improvement in quality, including complaints and total defects KPIs
- Managing quality issues and incidents, embedding learnings into enhanced procedures for optimal future recovery
- Ensuring robust processes are in place to deliver effective manufacturing technical management, meet quality standards, and achieve long‑term improvement plans
- Supporting unexpected supply chain changes, including capacity constraints, factory relocations, and crisis management
- Identifying cost‑saving opportunities (TCOF reduction) and supporting delivery
- Delivering a sustainable business within the area in line with established Pret policies
- Ensuring every MTS and BTS product has an up-to-date, active specification on Hamilton Grant
- Maintaining thorough and current risk assessments, including HACCP and prerequisite programmes
- Ensuring legality of all Pret BTS and MTS labels and published food information, with up-to-date legislative knowledge
- Ensuring appropriate shelf life across the Pret range, incorporating safety and quality, and recommending life extensions where suitable
- Conducting quality taste panels for MTS ingredients, BTS products, and finished products as appropriate
- Delivering internal and external quality reports and trend analysis
- Monitoring, trending, and responding to shop complaints
- Monitoring, trending, and responding to customer complaints
- Generating and reviewing launch documentation for shops (Allergen Guide, Shelf Life Guide, Langar tickets)
- Delivering NPD on time and to specification, working closely with suppliers, buyers, and product developers
- Investigating innovation opportunities within the area
- Maintaining an external network to “bring the outside in,” aligned to the area or personal passion
- Responsible for the on‑time and on‑specification delivery of projects in my area; including the management of expectations, escalating requirements for resource and support
Experience and Skills required:
- Food science or Food technology qualification at degree level
- 10+ years experience in food technical roles, preferably within retail or food service
- Empathy with natural, fresh food, sustainability, and the environment
About you:
- Be kind, honest and generous: bring genuine warmth and your authentic self to work every day
- Bring your passion: share our passion for food and exceptional customer service
- Spread joy every day: small acts of kindness are a big part of what makes the Pret experience special
We offer:
- Gold Card: When you’re in the office, your food and drinks are on us. And when you’re not, you can use your Gold Card to get up to 5 Barista‑made drinks a day, and 50% off everything else.
- 33 days of annual leave (including flexible Bank Holidays), increasing to 38 days the longer you’re with us
- Free private medical cover, with the option to add family or partner at an additional cost
- 4% of your pension contribution matched by Pret, rises to 5% after 5 years
- Life assurance at 3x annual salary
- Loyalty award for 5, 10, 15, 20 years’ service
- Flexible Benefits Platform packed with lifestyle discounts
- Season ticket loans
- Financial wellbeing provisions
- Free mortgage services
- Sabbatical after 3 years
- Opportunities to support our charity, The Pret Foundation
Individual ways to grow: We offer lots of opportunities for learning, whether you join us for a short stint or the long game, you’re good to grow with us. Including fully funded professional qualifications, leadership development and mentoring.
Diversity and belonging: Everyone is welcome at Pret, we want you to feel confident and valued for who you are and to truly belong.
Pace and variety: Our work is fast paced with lots of variety, you’ll build a diverse skill set and learn a lot!
Community and purpose: We’re proud to make a difference through The Pret Foundation, from tackling homelessness to reducing food waste and creating positive change for people and communities.
Our values: Happy Teams, Happy Customers, Amazing Standards, Every day, Doing The Right Thing.
The interview journey: Every interview process at Pret begins with a relaxed 30‑minute conversation with our recruitment team followed by a one‑hour, in‑person interview with the hiring manager at our Head Office in London Victoria.
This role is based at Pret’s Support Centre in London Victoria, where we work in a hybrid way – typically three days a week in the office. Deadline to apply for this role is Monday 5th January 2026.
Senior Technical Manager employer: Pret A Manger
At Pret A Manger, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters growth and innovation. With generous benefits such as a Gold Card for free food and drinks, 33 days of annual leave, and opportunities for professional development, our team members thrive in a supportive environment that values diversity and community impact. Located in the heart of London Victoria, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while being part of a passionate team dedicated to delivering high-quality food and service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Manager
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like Pret A Manger.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Pret A Manger!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Pret A Manger, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at Pret A Manger, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Pret A Manger, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Pret A Manger.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Pret A Manger. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Pret A Manger. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pret A Manger
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Pret A Manger’s mission.
