Technical Manager - Food in London

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers, the ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work. The Technical Manager has a fundamental role in developing our product proposition and supporting trading teams to exceed customer expectations.

What you will be doing:

• Assist in development and writing of technical governance, risk management, and compliance strategies for the business across food.
• Conducting monthly KPI reviews with key SFK and Food Service suppliers.
• Assist in the development, writing, publishing and compliance to our own brand standards in liaison with the NPD Manager and Ethical teams.
• Complaints management, ensuring surveillance for trends, distribution and follow up with suppliers where necessary and escalation as appropriate.
• Manage label compliance process including developing procedures, building procedures into Critical Paths, liaising with external label advise consultants as applicable.
• Support the HOT and NPD manager in developing suitable technical and development standards and associated policies.
• Support the NPD manager and TA in delivery of critical paths and supplier liaison on data entry onto Nutritics.
• Development of risk-based product testing schedule.
• Support the development and implement technical policies, guidelines, and standards that comply with regulations and establish new benchmarks.
• Risk assessing products and ensuring product specifications are received as required based on risk.
• Be the subject matter expert on regulatory and legislation changes across food.
• Support implementation of regulation changes into the business.
• Development and maintenance of Food HACCP systems that fall under the commercial scope.

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience in a technical role within retail or manufacturing.
• Food experience.
• Good understanding of BRCGS, retailer codes of practice, HACCP, VACCP/TACCP, and UK food legislation.
• Good stakeholder management skills, with the ability to mobilise teams.
• Regulatory experience.
• A passion for product.
• A self-starter, with a proven record of driving projects forward independently.
• A hands-on leader with good management and influencing skills.
• A collaborative approach and ‘can do’ attitude.
• Experience of food safety controls for branded products as well as own label products.
• Experience of Food Service Food Safety requirements and associated food business operations.
• Experience of working with other retailers, trade associations, certification bodies, FSA, Food Crime Unit.

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office.
• 4pm Friday Finish.
• Flexible Working.
• 25 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday.
• Family Friendly Leave.
• Company Pension scheme.
• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance.
• Competitive Salary and Car Allowance.
• Private Medical.
• Cycle to work scheme.

About us:

Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world. As a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve. Our business operates from two key locations. Our UK Travel and International office is based in a vibrant area of London, close to Aldgate and Liverpool Street Station, while the other is located at Swindon's International Business Park, just off the M4 with excellent transport links and over 100 on-site parking spaces. Across both locations, we're an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration, and innovation. We foster an entrepreneurial culture where people are encouraged to take initiative, embrace new challenges, and help shape the future of our business. At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best.

No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here. We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!