After recent strategic growth initiatives, our client is now looking for a Senior Technical Manager to strengthen its technical and compliance department. They are one of the most respected National Foodservice companies in the UK with a firm commitment to ESG, sustainable and responsible sourcing, traditional family values, and as their motto promotes – ‘Believe in more’. Job Purpose: Contribute to achieving our client’s commitment to an ethical, sustainable supply chain with minimal environmental impact. Accountable for the integrity of product & technical data, product quality and safety complaints, recalls, supplier accreditations and technical projects & queries. Ensure the Technical team are equipped to ensure the integrity of product and technical data. Utilise expertise in upcoming industry relevant legislation and technical changes to develop and evolve best in-class solutions for your customer base. Scope: Our client is an established and respected National Foodservice Company with a well-funded strategy and ambitious growth plans. You will have accountability for company KPI achievement for the Technical team. This will involve ensuring the integrity of c. 6,000 SKU’s and working with a supplier portfolio of c. 450+. Your team will be at any time 2-5 Direct reports and are technical and compliance specialists. You will have the responsibility and accountability for departmental budget, Company KPI and Service Level achievement. Knowledge/Skills/Experience: Essential: Excellent I.T skills including intermediate Excel. Excellent administration skills, attention to detail and a methodical approach to work. Numeracy and a good level of English. Customer Service Focus, Excellent communication, interpersonal, relationship building, negotiation and stakeholder management skills. An action-oriented individual, who is solutions focused, can manage multiple priorities, and deliver results on time. A good team player, with tenacity and good problem-solving skills that follows processes in place and prioritises business improvement. Experience working as a Technical manager or Supervisor within the foodservice industry. Passionate about food safety and interested in nutrition and allergen information. Adaptable to change, creative and interested in learning and developing both the team and yourself. Excellent presentation skills and confident presenting to large audiences of both internal and external stakeholders/customers. Excellent food product knowledge and experience of the food industry gained within a wholesale or manufacturing environment. Experience and knowledge of European and UK food Legislation. Experience and knowledge of quality management and project management. A BRC Audit qualification and familiar with Supplier auditing. HACCP and IOSHH level three qualification. TACCP and VACCP Level two qualification. Degree level qualification in food science or similar. Experience working with ERP systems. Desirable: Project management qualification and good knowledge of agile methodologies. Understanding and knowledge of lean six sigma. Have a good understanding of commerciality and the impact a Technical & Product Data Manager can have on business income and profitability. Expectations: Manage and Lead the Technical department in a positive, customer-focused, and professional manner. Recruit, train and develop the team both for new positions and succession planning. Develop and encourage a collaborative culture within your team, encouraging a positive and natural attitude and behaviour for continual improvement to drive individual and business performance. Line management responsibilities and accountability for the provision of management cover and supervisory support to colleagues in the wider team. Provide support, guidance, and expertise to internal stakeholders in context of supplier selection, supplier expertise, product quality attributes and control parameters which will successfully contribute to exceeding customer expectations, growing sales, and profit. Oversee the management of Saffron nutritional & allergen reporting software and deliver training and support both internally & externally. Ensure internal compliance to meet externally achieved certifications. Ensure all current processes covering food safety, integrity, quality and compliance with both internal and external stakeholders are robust, relevant and best in class. Effective supplier management to include initial selection & approval; conduct site visits if required; set & monitor clear technical expectations; provide guidance & support, issue performance updates and instigate joint business/improvement plans. Accountable for the accuracy of specifications for all products across multiple platforms and maintenance of the approved supplier database. Maintain awareness of packaging regulations (EPR), compliance, and submit in accordance with regulatory requirements. Keep up to date with upcoming legislative and industry changes and build best-in-class solutions for our customer base. Be a sector champion of ESG, in particular responsible and sustainable sourcing. Ethical Standards: Review, monitor and manage our strict ethical codes of practice ensuring adherence from both prospective and existing suppliers, including the enforcement of penalties for non-compliance. Review, audit and maintain our zero-tolerance policy to inhumane working conditions. Ensure all food suppliers are BRC or Salsa accredited. Demonstrate commitment to and support our Environmental, Social and Governance goals in how daily tasks and responsibilities are carried out. Actively promote a food safety culture through sharing knowledge and expertise. Share and promote best practice and adherence to Cyber essentials standards. Ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Competitive salary + WFH options available. A full Job Specification is available on request. In the meantime, if you would like to apply, please send me your CV and we can discuss your application and this opportunity. Send to: (email address removed) (just .co) For a chat: Frank + 44 (0) (phone number removed) #J-18808-Ljbffr
