At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical operations in a flagship food manufacturing site and drive performance standards.
- Company: One of the UK’s largest food manufacturers with a strong focus on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, private healthcare, and clear career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Engaging environment with a focus on team development and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food manufacturing while advancing your career to group leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in chilled or high-risk food manufacturing and proven leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 95000 ÂŁ per year.
This is a rare opportunity to lead technical at one of the UK’s largest and most complex food manufacturing operations. A flagship site. High profile. High expectation. And a genuine platform into a future group-level role.
The site employs over 1,000 people and supplies a broad portfolio of complex products across both retail and foodservice channels. From a food safety perspective, the site is in a strong position. The challenge now is around consistency, standards and driving technical performance to the next level.
There is a clear strategy already in place. What’s needed is someone capable of executing it - building alignment across the operation, strengthening the culture and ensuring technical standards are consistently delivered throughout the site.
As the lead technical contact for customers, you’ll play a key role in managing relationships, building credibility and navigating difficult conversations when required. This is not a role for someone who simply says “yes” to everything. The business needs a strong, commercially aware technical leader who can challenge constructively and make balanced decisions.
Reporting into group with a dotted line into site leadership, you’ll take ownership of the technical function, including budget responsibility and leadership of a team of 25+. A Technical Manager sits beneath you, meaning much of your time will naturally be customer and strategy focused. That said, visibility on the factory floor is essential. The business wants a leader who is present, approachable and engaged with the operation - someone who supports, develops and elevates the people around them.
What’s in it for you? This is the kind of role that genuinely changes the trajectory of your career. Successfully delivering at this site will place you firmly on the radar for future progression within the wider group. The exposure, scale and complexity of the operation will give you the opportunity to operate at a very senior level, with a clear pathway toward group leadership in the future.
Background
It is essential that you have experience within chilled, high-care or high-risk food manufacturing, ideally gained in a large, fast-paced and complex operation. You’ll already be operating at Senior Technical Manager or Head of Technical level and be able to demonstrate success in leading teams, managing customer relationships and driving standards within demanding manufacturing environments.
Equally important is your leadership style. The business is looking for someone grounded, credible and people-focused - a leader who can build trust across the site while still holding high standards and driving performance.
Interested in finding out more? Apply below for a confidential conversation. There may be flexibility for the right individual.
Head of Technical in City of London employer: The Sterling Choice
Contact Detail:
The Sterling Choice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technical in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want you to be able to speak their language and show how your experience aligns with their needs. Practice common interview questions and have your own ready to go!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style during interviews. Be ready to discuss how you’ve built trust and driven performance in past roles. We want to see that you’re not just a yes-person, but someone who can challenge constructively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technical in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in chilled, high-care or high-risk food manufacturing and showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you’ve driven technical performance and managed customer relationships in similar environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've built alignment across teams and improved standards in previous positions. Remember, we love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, let us know about your leadership approach. We’re looking for someone who’s grounded and people-focused. Share how you’ve developed and elevated your team while maintaining high standards. This will help us see if you’re the right cultural fit!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Sterling Choice
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and standards in food manufacturing, especially in chilled and high-risk environments. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully implemented technical strategies in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your people-focused leadership approach. Think about times when you've built trust within your team or navigated difficult conversations with customers. This role needs someone who can balance high standards with a supportive culture.
✨Understand the Business Strategy
Familiarise yourself with the company's current strategy and be prepared to discuss how you would execute it. Show that you can align technical performance with business goals and drive consistency across operations.
✨Be Present and Engaged
Emphasise your commitment to being visible on the factory floor. Share how you plan to support and develop your team while maintaining high technical standards. This role requires a leader who is approachable and actively involved in the operation.