At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality assurance and ensure food safety standards are met across all products and processes.
- Company: Join Princes, a leading food manufacturer with a commitment to quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety and quality in a dynamic industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in science or food technology, HACCP Level 4, and experience in technical management.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
Job Purpose: Lead the site Quality Assurance function and ensure all products, processes, and premises meet food safety, quality, legal, and customer standards. Own the site’s technical governance, HACCP systems, audit readiness, and continuous improvement agenda. Act as deputy to the Senior Technical Manager.
Dimensions: Reporting to the Senior Technical Manager, the Factory Technical Manager leads a shift‑based team covering the manufacturing operating hours and microbiological testing/reporting requirements. Flexibility is required to support ad‑hoc out of hours as needed. Senior Analysts cover the first line escalation for shift requirements working with QA Analysts covering site management along with Microbiologists conducting the product release assessment, ensuring the product is produced meeting customer safety, legality, and consistency standards.
Internal contacts: group area operations leadership teams, Site technical & operations teams, central group technical teams. External contacts: EHO’s, Trading Standards, accreditation bodies, retailers, NGOs, 3rd Party audit bodies, suppliers, trade bodies, external warehouses & service providers. This role supports the Senior Technical Manager on all aspects of the technical function and liaises with the above contacts as required. Travel within the UK and occasional overseas as required.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Lead, review and update all HACCP plans (process, product, and procedures), ensuring compliance with CCPs and prerequisite programmes.
- Define process validation parameters for pasteurisation/sterilisation systems, including worst‑case conditions, escalation protocols and technical requirements based on HACCP principles.
- Ensure robust HACCP risk assessments that drive right‑first‑time production.
- Lead annual validation and verification reviews for food safety systems.
- Facilitate assessment of factory practices against HACCP Management System requirements.
- Conduct and review CIP, hygiene, GMP and internal audits to verify food safety performance.
- Ensure strong systems for allergen, adulteration, nutritional, chemical and microbiological risk management.
- Lead site food safety, culture and integrity initiatives aligned with site strategy.
- Provide food safety leadership during crisis management, including non‑conforming stock decisions and escalations.
- Drive and own the site’s Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with BRC, customer, certification and legislative requirements.
- Ensure the site is audit‑ready at all times and lead internal, customer, 3rd party and EHO audits, from preparation through corrective action closure.
- Ensure QA teams maintain, review, audit and continuously improve QMS documentation and processes.
- Develop systems for compliance monitoring, data analysis and effective record keeping.
- Work with Group Technical to align site QMS to central policies and industry best practice.
- Lead food defence, food integrity and CCP governance across the site.
- Accountable for raw material, packaging and finished product assessment, processing and release.
- Lead block stock investigation, decision‑making (release/reject) and associated corrective actions.
- Establish quality controls and practices for new product development launches, ongoing product quality and specification adherence.
- Define and manage external testing regimes for pack claim verification and product assurance.
- Manage authenticity, adulteration, allergenic, microbiological and chemical testing regimes across the product lifecycle.
- Oversee nutritional, authenticity and finished product quality assessment processes.
- Collaborate with QA and NPD teams to trend, monitor and improve product attribute quality.
- Define process controls and operating protocols for pasteurisation/sterilisation, including deviation handling.
- Establish site monitoring schedules for product, equipment and process verification.
- Ensure all quality and safety monitoring equipment is calibrated, verified and traceable to national standards.
- Work with OEMs and Engineering to maintain calibration activities and incorporate measurement uncertainty into operations.
- Lead laboratory measurement standards, analytical performance and monitoring programmes.
- Lead continuous improvement across food safety, GMP, quality and microbiology.
- Drive root cause analysis and ensure effective corrective and preventive action implementation.
- Lead focused improvement teams on complaints, compliance, HACCP fundamentals and product quality.
- Implement data trending, performance reviews and improvement actions across all quality systems.
- Encourage and track CI projects via QA & Microbiology teams.
- Lead, develop and support Senior Analysts, QA Analysts and Microbiologists, ensuring strong succession, coaching and professional development.
- Manage training, mentoring, workload organisation and performance management.
- Build strong engagement within technical and operational teams, promoting high standards in food safety, GMP and quality.
- Provide out‑of‑hours leadership support for quality and operational matters.
- Represent Technical at tier meetings with clear communication and action planning.
- Create high‑performing teams with continuous improvement mindsets.
- Build strong relationships with Operations, Group Technical, retailers, suppliers, auditors and authorities.
- Liaise with Group Technical and other sites to share and implement best practice.
- Support investigations with Operations and Hygiene through sampling data, “Go Look & See”, and root cause analysis.
- Contribute to the site’s technical and quality strategy alongside the Senior Technical Manager.
- Lead laboratory teams responsible for microbiological, chemical and adulteration monitoring programmes.
- Ensure CLAS accreditation standards are met and maintained.
- Manage microbiologists in lab and factory analytical duties with a CI mindset.
- Ensure effective out‑of‑spec investigations, including out‑of‑hours support and escalation.
- Define testing regimes supporting authenticity, adulteration, allergen and microbiological governance requirements.
- Lead calibration, process validation and laboratory management systems to support nutritional, authenticity and quality assessment.
- Lead pest management activities, including contractor performance and site risk reviews.
- Ensure brand integrity, allergen management and product handling practices protect customer and site requirements.
- Conduct all required internal audits (CIP, GMP, hygiene, procedural and finished product).
- Support health & safety by ensuring compliance with all site policies and standards.
- Carry out reasonable additional tasks as required by line management.
Role Requirements:
- Qualifications: Degree / Post Graduate level qualification in science or food technology (or equivalent experience). HACCP Level 4. Food Safety Level 4 or Food microbiological training. Lead auditor. IOSH or NEBOSH.
- Knowledge: Experience of technical management at a senior level across different areas of food supply businesses (Site / Supplier / Customer). Experience of developing and managing high performing teams. Experience of managing customer technical relationships within a UK retail customer facing role. Technical expertise within a wide range of Food / Drinks manufacturing operations. Comprehensive knowledge of UK retailer codes of practice and how to implement these effectively within food manufacturing and supply businesses. Project Management skills. 3rd party audit knowledge: BRC, IFS, Red Tractor, Soil Association, Claims such as Organics, Gluten Free. Continuous Improvement. Food legislation / labelling. Chemistry. Thermal Processing. Accreditation bodies. Enforcement agencies. CIP. Experience of SAP QM.
- Skills: QMS, BRC-accreditation. FMCG. ISO/Quality Systems. Consumer Care. Pest control. IT skills: Spreadsheets & data analysis, SAP.
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Cardiff
Business Area: Operations
Workplace Type: Onsite
About Princes: The Princes Group has over 7,000 employees with offices and production sites in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, France and Mauritius. Princes manufactures 350 different food and drink products responsibly sourced and enjoyed by consumers every day. This role is part of an employer of choice where colleagues are proud to represent the business.
Technical Manager in Cardiff employer: Princes Group
Princes Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cardiff where innovation and quality are at the forefront of our operations. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide extensive training and growth opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. Join us to be part of a team that values integrity, safety, and excellence in food production, while enjoying the benefits of working for a leading company in the food and drink industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Manager in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Manager in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Technical Manager role. Highlight your experience with HACCP systems, quality management, and team leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food safety and quality assurance. Share specific examples of your achievements that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Knowledge:Don’t hold back on your technical expertise! Mention your familiarity with BRC standards, food legislation, and any relevant certifications. We love seeing candidates who are well-versed in industry best practices.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Princes Group
✨Know Your HACCP Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in HACCP principles and can discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led HACCP plans or managed risk assessments, as this will show your technical expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Technical Manager, you'll be leading teams, so highlight your experience in developing high-performing teams. Prepare to discuss how you've mentored others and driven continuous improvement initiatives in past positions.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Familiarise yourself with UK food safety regulations and retailer codes of practice. Be prepared to talk about how you've ensured compliance in previous roles, especially during audits or crisis management situations.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, particularly around food safety incidents or quality control issues. Think of specific scenarios where you successfully navigated challenges and what actions you took to resolve them.
