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- Tasks: Lead technical operations, ensuring food safety and quality compliance across the board.
- Company: Join Taiko, a pioneering sushi manufacturer with a legacy of innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food safety while leading a dynamic technical team.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in food manufacturing and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with excellent perks and career development.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 84000 £ per year.
Head of Technical
Head Office – Taiko Acton
Contract: Full Time
Salary: 75,000 to 80,000
Contracted Hours: 40
Established in 1997 as the first manufacturer of sushi for the UK supermarket industry, Taiko has evolved into the most innovative manufacturer of Sushi, Food To Go, Prepared Meals and Snacking products in the UK, supplying Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s to name a few. Over the past 25 years Taiko has launched more first to market Sushi and Food to Go products than any other sushi manufacturer in the UK.
• Extensive experience in a senior technical or quality management role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, food safety legislation, and retailer technical requirements.
• Proven experience in leading audits, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
• Exceptional leadership skills with experience in developing and managing high-performing technical teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
Overview of the role:
As a Head of Technical, you will be the key technical interface for customers, internal teams, and suppliers, ensuring the highest standards of food safety, quality, and legal compliance. Reporting directly to the Technical Director, you will lead the technical team, drive continuous improvement, and provide strategic direction to enhance technical operations and compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
• Strategic Leadership: Provide senior-level technical expertise, advising the business on food safety, compliance, and quality standards to align with company objectives and industry best practices.
• Technical Governance: Oversee all aspects of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance, ensuring full adherence to legal, corporate, and BRCGS accreditation requirements.
• Quality Management System (QMS): Ensure the QMS is effectively managed, regularly reviewed, and continuously improved to drive operational excellence.
• Audit & Compliance Management: Lead customer and third-party audits, ensuring the business consistently meets certification and compliance standards.
• HACCP & Risk Management: Lead the HACCP team, ensuring effective risk assessments, reviews, and implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Technical Team Leadership: Manage and develop the technical team, providing coaching, training, and succession planning to build capability and expertise.
• Innovation & Product Development Support: Collaborate with NPD, sourcing, and operational teams to ensure technical feasibility and compliance for new and existing products.
• Performance & Continuous Improvement: Monitor and drive improvements in departmental KPIs, challenging processes and implementing strategies to enhance overall performance.
• Regulatory & Industry Awareness: Stay ahead of changes in legislation and industry developments, ensuring timely implementation of new regulatory requirements.
We\’re proud to offer:
- Opportunity to grow your career alongside with us with available apprentice program
- Brilliant support services designed to enhance your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
- Annual discretionary bonus subject
Salary: 75,000 to 80,000
Contracted Hours: 40
Established in 1997 as the first manufacturer of sushi for the UK supermarket industry, Taiko has evolved into the most innovative manufacturer of Sushi, Food To Go, Prepared Meals and Snacking products in the UK, supplying Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s to name a few. Over the past 25 years Taiko has launched more first to market Sushi and Food to Go products than any other sushi manufacturer in the UK.
• Extensive experience in a senior technical or quality management role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, food safety legislation, and retailer technical requirements.
• Proven experience in leading audits, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
• Exceptional leadership skills with experience in developing and managing high-performing technical teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
Overview of the role:
As a Head of Technical, you will be the key technical interface for customers, internal teams, and suppliers, ensuring the highest standards of food safety, quality, and legal compliance. Reporting directly to the Technical Director, you will lead the technical team, drive continuous improvement, and provide strategic direction to enhance technical operations and compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
• Strategic Leadership: Provide senior-level technical expertise, advising the business on food safety, compliance, and quality standards to align with company objectives and industry best practices.
• Technical Governance: Oversee all aspects of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance, ensuring full adherence to legal, corporate, and BRCGS accreditation requirements.
• Quality Management System (QMS): Ensure the QMS is effectively managed, regularly reviewed, and continuously improved to drive operational excellence.
• Audit & Compliance Management: Lead customer and third-party audits, ensuring the business consistently meets certification and compliance standards.
• HACCP & Risk Management: Lead the HACCP team, ensuring effective risk assessments, reviews, and implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Technical Team Leadership: Manage and develop the technical team, providing coaching, training, and succession planning to build capability and expertise.
• Innovation & Product Development Support: Collaborate with NPD, sourcing, and operational teams to ensure technical feasibility and compliance for new and existing products.
• Performance & Continuous Improvement: Monitor and drive improvements in departmental KPIs, challenging processes and implementing strategies to enhance overall performance.
• Regulatory & Industry Awareness: Stay ahead of changes in legislation and industry developments, ensuring timely implementation of new regulatory requirements.
We\’re proud to offer:
- Opportunity to grow your career alongside with us with available apprentice program
- Brilliant support services designed to enhance your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
- Annual discretionary bonus subject
Head of Technical (Acton) employer: Taiko
Contact Detail:
Taiko Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technical (Acton)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Show us you’re passionate about food safety and quality – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially around leadership and compliance. We want to see how you handle challenges in a technical role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technical (Acton)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Technical role. Highlight your extensive experience in food manufacturing, technical governance, and leadership skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for us at Taiko. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, and your ability to lead high-performing teams.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Quantify your successes where possible, like improvements in compliance rates or successful audits. We love seeing how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Taiko
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, and food safety legislation. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in leading audits and managing supplier relationships.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in developing and managing high-performing technical teams. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, it's a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about their current technical operations and how they align with industry best practices. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Be ready to discuss how you've driven continuous improvement in past roles. Share specific examples of how you've enhanced quality management systems or implemented corrective actions in response to audits.