Technical Manager

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Technical Manager to join our client as a key member of their Technical Team. This role will work closely with both established and new suppliers to ensure the safety, quality, legality, and sustainability of all products sourced from their global supply chain. You will collaborate across all business functions, the supply base, and customers to maintain and continuously improve our high standards of technical compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a champion for all food safety and quality standards across the business.
• Lead on product quality, shelf-life, specification management, and customer complaints
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, legality, customer specifications, and codes of practice.
• Maintain and update technical due diligence documentation, including risk assessments, HACCP plans, and specifications.
• Ensure full traceability in line with customer and certification scheme requirements.
• Develop and drive effective collaborative Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) across the supply chain.
• Support the Innovation Team with varietal and packaging development, and new product launches.
• Contribute to cross-functional value optimisation projects.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging risks in produce safety, quality, and sustainability.
• Support the company's ESG strategy implementation.
• Act as the principal point of contact for technical and quality issues with allocated customers.
• Visit and audit UK and overseas suppliers, supporting and developing supplier standards.
• Manage and coordinate internal, customer, and third-party audits.
• Provide cover for Technical team members where required, including rostered weekend cover.

Key Competencies

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Team player with a proactive and collaborative approach.
• Strong attention to detail with analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Confident decision-maker, highly organised, and capable of managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Passionate about fresh produce, sustainability, and innovation.
• Experience of working within fresh produce in a customer-facing position

For further information please contact Luan Harrison on 01780 480530