Job Role: Technical Manager
Salary: £70,000 - £80,000
Location: Haverhill, Suffolk
Type: Full Time / Permanent
Overview:
Everest People Solutions are on the hunt for a dynamic and experienced Technical Manager to join a leading pet food manufacturing business. In this role, you will lead the technical function, ensuring rigorous compliance with food safety standards, quality controls, and legislative requirements. You will be responsible for managing technical teams, driving improvements, and maintaining high standards of hygiene and food safety. This role demands a proactive leader who can handle technical challenges, support team development, and drive industry-leading practices.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute the technical strategy, working hands-on with stakeholders and teams to achieve results.
- Prepare the site for BRC audits and ensure successful outcomes.
- Provide technical leadership for day-to-day challenges, risk assessments, and crisis management.
- Ensure compliance with technical standards, customer codes of practice, and food legislation.
- Regularly review, update, and communicate technical manuals, systems, and processes.
- Maintain the HACCP program and align it with best practices.
- Implement and amend the Quality Management System (QMS) to uphold product standards.
- Oversee QA and Hygiene teams, ensuring adequate technical resources.
- Implement effective pest control measures to ensure food safety.
- Analyze and communicate trends in quality issues, including customer complaints and TVC counts.
- Manage internal audits, including planning, scheduling, and follow-up actions.
- Ensure timely interventions and training in response to failures, with clear communication of action points.
- Maintain a robust supplier management system and address non-conformances promptly.
- Advise site management on statutory requirements and keep abreast of technical legislation and its impact.
- Liaise with regulatory agencies for external audits and maintain positive working relationships.
- Foster a collaborative team culture and prioritize customer satisfaction.
- Develop and enforce food safety policies and training to mitigate recall risks.
Requirements:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a high-care or cooked meat FMCG food manufacturing environment.
- Degree in food science or a related discipline.
- Experience with agricultural animal food production (e.g., chicken, beef, pork, fish, turkey, lamb, duck).
- Strong knowledge of health and safety/food safety systems and legislation, including:
- Food Safety and Hygiene Level 3
- HACCP Level 3
- Listeria and Microbial awareness
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally with technical, production, engineering, and quality teams.
- Highly organized with excellent prioritization skills in a high-pressure environment.
- Strong communication skills for interaction with internal teams, external customers, suppliers, and authorities.
- Ability to reliably commute or relocate to the Haverhill area (CB9 7FD).
What They Offer:
- A career-defining opportunity to play a pivotal role in scaling a leading brand.
- A close-knit, collaborative team environment.
- 33 days of holiday each year plus your birthday off.
- Discount on fresh meals.
- Comprehensive AXA health insurance, including optical and dental, after probation.
- Annual personal development budget.
- Company pension.