Head of Technical

Newcastle upon Tyne Permanent Excellent + benefits Ref: 418295

The company

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing food manufacturing business undergoing significant investment, operational improvement and long-term expansion.

With ambitious plans for future growth and acquisition, the business is focused on building a best-in-class operation where food safety, quality and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything it does. Operating in a high-risk chilled food environment and supplying major retail customers, the organisation is committed to developing its people, strengthening systems and creating a culture of excellence.

This is a chance to play a key role in shaping the future of the business and establishing technical standards that will support continued success for years to come.

The role

Reporting to the Operations Director and forming part of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Technical will be the senior technical leader on site, responsible for driving food safety, quality, legality and compliance across the operation.

This is a highly visible leadership position combining strategic direction with hands-on engagement across the factory. You will lead the technical function, develop a strong food safety culture and ensure the business consistently delivers the highest standards for customers and consumers.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading all aspects of food safety, quality and legal compliance
Managing customer, regulatory and third-party audits
Driving continuous improvement across the Quality Management System
Developing technical strategy, KPIs and improvement initiatives
Leading, coaching and developing Technical, Quality and Hygiene teams
Strengthening factory standards, traceability, environmental monitoring and supplier assurance processes
Managing specifications, artwork and labelling approvals
Building strong relationships with customers, suppliers and regulatory bodies
Supporting business growth, future acquisitions and technical standardisation projects

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to influence strategy, lead meaningful change and leave a lasting impact on a growing business.

The candidate

We are looking for an experienced technical leader from a high-risk chilled food manufacturing environment, although strong candidates from related sectors will also be considered.

You will combine technical credibility with strong leadership capability and a genuine passion for developing people and improving standards.

You will bring:

Proven experience leading a Technical function within food manufacturing
Strong knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, retailer standards and UK food legislation
Experience managing customer audits, regulatory inspections and stakeholder relationships
A track record of driving technical improvements and embedding food safety culture
Strong people leadership, coaching and team development skills
Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities
Commercial awareness and confidence influencing senior stakeholders
The ability to balance strategic thinking with a hands-on approach
Experience working with retailer own-label products and major retail customers

The successful individual will be ambitious, resilient and motivated by the opportunity to build technical excellence, drive continuous improvement and help shape the future direction of a growing food manufacturing business.