Senior Technical Manager – Fresh Produce (Customer-Facing)
Client: Major UK Packing & Preparation Site
Salary: Very Competitive + Benefits
Are you a proven technical leader in fresh produce or chilled food manufacturing, ready to take ownership of a major UK site (£2m+ upgrade) supplying top UK and EU retailers? This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-profile, customer-facing role where you’ll shape standards, lead a talented technical team, and represent the business at the highest level.
We’re looking for a Senior Technical Manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds strong retailer relationships, and drives excellence in food safety, quality, and compliance every single day.
About the Role
As Senior Technical Manager, you will be the technical lead for one of the UK’s most important fresh-produce packing and preparation sites. You’ll oversee all aspects of food safety, quality, and compliance, ensuring products meet the exacting standards of major UK and EU supermarkets.
You’ll work closely with operations, commercial, agronomy, compliance and supply chain teams, while acting as the primary technical contact for key retail customers. This is a role for someone who enjoys being visible, influential, and deeply involved in both strategy and day-to-day performance.
What You’ll Be Doing
· Leading the site technical function, including QA, hygiene, specifications, compliance teams.
· Owning the Food Safety & Quality Management System and ensuring full compliance with BRCGS, retailer COPs, and UK/EU legislation.
· Hosting and leading customer visits, audits, and technical reviews with major retailers.
· Driving continuous improvement across quality, food safety, waste reduction, and right-first-time performance.
· Managing raw material quality and working closely with growers and suppliers.
· Supporting NPD and process development to ensure safe, compliant, and commercially viable launches.
· Leading incident management, root-cause investigations, and corrective action plans.
What We’re Looking For
· Senior technical or quality leadership experience within fresh produce, chilled foods, or high-care FMCG.
· Strong customer-facing experience with major UK retailers (Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Asda, etc.).
· Deep knowledge of food safety legislation, BRCGS, and retailer Codes of Practice.
· A confident communicator who can build trust with customers and internal teams.
· A proactive, solutions-focused leader who thrives in a dynamic, seasonal environment.
· Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Agriculture, or similar (preferred but not essential).
Why Join Us?
· Lead the technical agenda at a flagship UK site.
· High visibility with major retail customers.
· Opportunity to shape standards, culture, and continuous improvement.
· Work with a passionate, collaborative team in a business that values innovation and quality
