Senior Technical Manager - Coffee & Drinks

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 (like you!) find what they need to shine. And the proof is in the pudding – over 80% of our Managers started on the shop floor! So did 20% of our Support Centre teams, including our CEO, Pano.

What we’re looking for: We’re looking for passionate team players to bring joy to our customers every day. The Senior Technical Manager is responsible for ensuring that all foods in UK shops comply with Pret standards, the law and food safety requirements through establishing, maintaining, reviewing and continuously improving all systems, processes and standards required for food safety and due diligence. This role plays a key part in maintaining the reputation of the Pret Brand supporting “Pret’s approach to food” with robust food science and effective supply base management.

This role focuses on ensuring that all ingredients and finished products are safe, legal and comply with the Pret standards in the UK shops. It involves advising shops and the food leadership team on quality issues as well as managing the supply base. It requires not only a knowledge of food technology but also a clear understanding of the Pret mission statement to ensure that all products meet the standards, and a willingness to drive continuous improvements. This role reports to the Head of Technical within the Technical Team working closely and collaboratively with buying, launch, food and supply chain teams.

This role has primary responsibility for Pret’s coffee and drinks category, leading the technical management of hot and cold beverages, ingredients and associated suppliers. Working closely with Buying, Food, Supply Chain and Operations teams, the role provides technical expertise to maintain the integrity and reputation of Pret’s coffee and drinks offer.

Key responsibilities:

• Maintain strong, collaborative technical relationships with food suppliers.
• Drive continuous improvement in supplier performance demonstrated in KPI’s.
• Manage quality issues and incidents, ensuring effective RCA and corrective actions to close out and prevent reoccurrence.
• Ensure appropriate processes are in place, to deliver effective manufacturing technical management to achieve quality standards and deliver long-term improvement plans.
• Support unexpected supply chain challenges e.g. capacity issues, factory moves, and crisis management.
• Deliver Pret’s ESG strategy at supplier level.
• Ensure all products have accurate, active specifications in Hamilton Grant (Pret’s spec system).
• Maintain thorough and current risk assessments with the appropriate HACCP & prerequisite program.
• Ensure legal compliance of all Food (BTS and MTS) labels and published food information.
• Conduct quality taste panels for ingredients and finished products to uphold standards.
• Monitor, trend and respond to shop and customer complaints, driving reductions through supplier action plans.
• Generate and review launch documents (e.g. Allergen Guide, Shelf-Life Guide, Langar tickets).
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of NPD, working with suppliers, buyers, and developers.
• Responsible for ensuring all technical due diligence is completed on time as per Pret’s NPD Stage Gate process for NPD or EPD including robust allergen management, quality standards, optimisation of shelf life and safety due diligence.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to identify and implement cost-saving opportunities.
• Responsible for the investigation of innovation in my area.
• Be a subject matter expert for your area and share your knowledge across teams.
• Responsible for maintaining a network to “bring the outside in” within my area or a passion of my own, as well as sitting on industry groups to ensure Pret stay on top of industry changes and best practice.
• Support policy development driving standards within the UK and global technical teams.
• Audit Compliance - To comply with Pret's internal audit requirements and ensure thorough due diligence and processes are properly documented and systematically tracked at all times.

Experience and Skills required:

• Extensive experience in food technical roles, preferably within food manufacture, retail or food service.
• Previous experience in coffee and barista-prepared beverages is desirable but not essential.
• Strong technical expertise Food science or Food technology qualification at degree level.
• Level 4 qualification in HACCP, advanced Food Safety certification, and Lead Auditor training are desirable.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Extensive experience working within retail or foodservice supply chains.
• A proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and problem-solving.
• 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:

• A competitive salary range plus a bonus potential of 20%.
• Gold Card: We love making people’s day through our food and drinks. That goes for our teams too. That’s why everyone gets a 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 (food, snacks, bottled drinks – the lot).
• You’ll get 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.
• Healthcare cash plan.
• Financial wellbeing provisions.
• Free mortgage services.
• Sabbatical after 3 years.
• Opportunities to support our charity, The Pret Foundation.

We also offer 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
• Never Standing Still
• Doing The Right Thing

The interview journey:

Every interview process at Pret begins with the same two stages. First, you’ll have a relaxed 30-minute conversation with our recruitment team so we can get to know you and your experience. Next, you’ll be invited to a one-hour, in-person interview with the hiring manager at our Head Office in London Victoria. Depending on the role and function, there may be additional stages. These could include time spent in one of our shops, completing a task, or meeting a senior leader.

Before you apply:

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. The role will also include international travel on a regular basis.

We’d love to get to know you, not a robot, so please do not rely on AI to complete your application.

Deadline to apply for this role: 24th September 2026.