Senior Technical Manager

Are you a passionate food safety and quality professional looking for a senior leadership role in an ambitious, fast-paced food manufacturing business? This is your chance to lead the technical function and shape the culture in a business that values food safety, compliance, and continuous improvement. This is more than just a technical role - you'll be the face of the department, promoting a food safety and quality-conscious culture while working closely with your peers in the senior team. You'll lead, inspire, and support your team, manage relationships, and champion continuous improvement across all areas of the business. No two days are the same, and you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact. Key Responsibilities: Lead the Technical Department, establishing and maintaining food safety, quality, and compliance standards. Develop and deliver the strategy for all technical functions, supporting KPIs, process improvements, and system enhancements. Promote and embed a proactive food safety and quality culture throughout the organisation. Manage the Quality Management System (QMS), BRC and other third-party accreditations, internal audits, investigations, and CAPAs. Conduct Food Safety and HACCP meetings, manage pre-requisites for audits, and maintain awareness of legislation. Act as the main technical interface for customers and suppliers, providing advice, resolving complaints, and ensuring requirements are met. Support cross-functional teams (Operations, Commercial, Supply Chain) to meet compliance and quality standards. Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including Total Quality Management practices and reducing non-quality costs. About You - Experience & Skills: Essential: Significant experience in a senior food safety or quality leadership role within food manufacturing, ideally in a technical management capacity. Deep understanding of food safety legislation, compliance requirements, and industry standards across the UK and EU. Skilled in knowledge of emerging food safety practices, supply chain compliance, and risk management. Commercially aware with the ability to influence decision-making at a senior level. Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline, with advanced HACCP knowledge (Level 4+). Strong leadership experience, with a proven ability to develop, motivate, and support high-performing teams. If this opportunity aligns with your experience and ambitions, we would welcome a confidential discussion to explore the role further. As you know over here at Zest we like to do things properly and always want to keep you, the candidate in the loop. Applying to this 'one of a kind' role you give Zest permission to hold your information. If you want to know more about how Zest look after your personal information please visit our privacy policy on the website (url removed)