Technical Manager in Newtownards

Technical Manager – Food Manufacturing
Location: County Down, Northern Ireland
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
The Opportunity
Protea Recruitment is working with an established food manufacturing business in Northern Ireland to appoint an experienced Technical Manager.
This is a senior leadership position offering full responsibility for the company's technical, quality and food safety functions.
The successful candidate will be the most senior technical professional within the business, playing a key role in maintaining standards, developing the technical team and supporting the company's continued growth.
The business operates within chilled food manufacturing, producing a range of products for major retail and foodservice customers across the UK and Ireland.
Key Responsibilities
Lead, manage and develop the Technical and Quality teams, with responsibility for approximately eight team members.
Take overall responsibility for food safety, quality, legality and regulatory compliance across manufacturing operations.
Maintain and continually improve the Food Safety Management System (FSMS), Quality Management System (QMS) and HACCP procedures.
Lead BRCGS certification audits, customer audits and regulatory inspections, ensuring continued compliance with relevant standards.
Manage technical relationships with major retail and foodservice customers.
Oversee microbiological controls, environmental monitoring, allergen management and Listeria prevention programmes.
Ensure effective management of customer complaints, non-conformances, root cause investigations and corrective actions.
Maintain robust traceability, product specifications, labelling and supplier approval procedures.
Work closely with Production, Operations and NPD to ensure new and existing products meet food safety, quality and customer requirements.
Provide technical guidance and support to the senior management team.
Identify opportunities to improve technical systems, processes and operational performance.
Develop a proactive food safety culture throughout the business.
Candidate Requirements
Essential:
Significant experience within Technical or Quality Management in food manufacturing.
Strong working knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, food safety legislation and retailer technical standards.
Proven experience leading technical teams and managing food safety management systems.
Experience managing external audits, customer relationships and regulatory compliance.
Strong understanding of microbiological food safety risks, particularly within chilled manufacturing environments.
Ability to operate independently as the senior technical authority within a manufacturing business.
Excellent communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.
Desirable:
Experience within chilled foods, ready meals or food-to-go manufacturing.
Previous responsibility for a multi-site technical function.
Experience managing Listeria control and environmental monitoring programmes.
Experience working with major UK and Irish retailers.
Food Science, Food Technology or a related qualification.
What's on Offer?
Permanent senior management opportunity.
Full ownership of the technical function.
Opportunity to lead and develop an established technical team.
Direct involvement in key business decisions and technical strategy.
Opportunity to make a measurable impact on food safety, quality and operational performance.
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