Head of Technical
Shape the technical future of a growing food business.
Reliance Talent Solutions is partnering with an expanding food manufacturer to appoint a Head of Technical. This is an opportunity to lead an established team, influence how the business develops and deliver improvements that strengthen food safety, quality and customer confidence.
Combining strategic leadership with hands-on involvement, you will oversee quality assurance, technical services, specifications and hygiene, working closely with production and engineering colleagues.
A key project will be the implementation of a new quality management software system, giving you the opportunity to modernise processes and build the digital foundations to support continued growth.
Why consider this opportunity?
- Influence a growing business: shape its technical priorities and ensure standards, systems and team capability keep pace with expansion.
- Lead and develop people: support a multidisciplinary team, building expertise, accountability and future leaders.
- Deliver meaningful change: lead the introduction of new quality management software and improve how information is recorded, monitored and used.
- Make a visible contribution: connect technical excellence with manufacturing performance and strong customer relationships.
What you will lead
Technical strategy and team development
Set the direction for the technical function, translating business objectives and customer expectations into clear priorities. Coach and develop your team, establish responsibilities and build succession plans that support sustainable growth.
Digital quality management
Lead the implementation of a new quality management software system. Work with the software provider and internal stakeholders to define requirements, coordinate the rollout and support employee training and adoption. Use the system to improve document control, reporting, traceability and visibility of quality performance.
Food safety and quality assurance
Take ownership of the food safety and quality management systems, ensuring they remain effective, practical and aligned with regulatory, customer and certification requirements. Lead HACCP reviews and verification, with particular emphasis on controls within high-risk production environments and effective Listeria management.
Customer relationships and external assurance
Represent the business with major retail customers, regulatory authorities and certification bodies. Lead technical discussions, customer visits and external audits, ensuring the business is well prepared and that any findings result in lasting improvements.
Investigation and continuous improvement
Oversee customer complaints, non-conformances and corrective actions. Use testing results, audit findings and performance trends to identify underlying causes, prevent recurrence and improve product consistency and operational effectiveness.
Operational standards and hygiene
Oversee hygiene programmes, cleaning standards and equipment calibration. Work with production, engineering and external contractors to maintain appropriate equipment standards and resolve issues affecting food safety, quality or performance.
Supplier and certification management
Maintain robust supplier approval, specifications, product testing and traceability arrangements. Oversee relevant sourcing and chain-of-custody certifications, licence renewals and supporting records, alongside ethical trading and customer compliance requirements.
Training and food safety culture
Ensure employees understand both the standards expected and their individual responsibilities. Develop practical training and engagement initiatives that make food safety, quality and continuous improvement part of everyday working practices.
What you will bring
- A degree in food science or another relevant scientific discipline.
- A minimum of five years in senior leadership.
- Proven experience managing food safety and quality in high-risk food manufacturing.
- Strong expertise in Listeria prevention, environmental monitoring and control.
- Experience working with major retail customers and their technical requirements.
- Experience overseeing technical standards across multiple sites.
- A thorough understanding of BRCGS, HACCP, quality management systems and audit preparation.
- The ability to develop teams, lead change and work effectively with operational colleagues.
Apply confidentially
If you would welcome the opportunity to lead an established technical function and help a growing food manufacturer take its next step, we would like to hear from you.