Technical Manager

Salary: £50,000 £ 55,000
Location: Erith, Kent (DA8)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00am 4:30pm (flexible start available)

This is an opportunity to join a well-established, family-run food manufacturing business with around 30 employees, specialising in dairy-free yogurts and soft cheeses made from 100% natural ingredients. Operating since 2011, the business supplies leading plant-based brands and has recently secured a major retail contract within the Marks & Spencer Plant Kitchen range, working to the highest food safety and quality standards.

The business operates two separate manufacturing facilities:

• One dedicated to nut-based products

• One allergen-free facility for coconut-based and free-from products

We are seeking an experienced Technical Manager from a food manufacturing background to take full ownership of all technical, quality, and food safety activities across the business. This is a senior, hands-on role within a short shelf-life food environment, reporting directly to senior management.

You will be responsible for ensuring all products, processes, and systems meet legal, customer, and accreditation requirements, including BRCGS, M&S, SALSA, and Organic standards.

• Full responsibility for food safety, quality, legality, integrity, and authenticity

• Day-to-day management, training, and development of the technical team

• Supplier Quality Assurance and management of non-conformances

• Ownership and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System

• Managing HACCP systems and traceability exercises

• Preparation for and leadership of internal, external, and customer audits

• Investigation of customer complaints, root cause analysis, and corrective actions

• Raw material, packaging, and finished product specification management

• Approval of packaging, artwork, and labelling compliance

• Microbiology testing oversight and results analysis

• Technical support for NPD and product trials

• Liaising with customers, suppliers, co-manufacturers, and senior leadership

• Managing hygiene standards, laboratory activities, and technical budgets

• Proven experience in a Technical / Quality / Technologist role within food manufacturing

• Experience with short shelf-life food products

• Strong working knowledge of BRCGS (M&S standards experience desirable)

• Degree educated in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline

• Excellent understanding of food legislation, suppliers, and raw materials

• Confident managing audits and major retail customer requirements

• Analytical, detail-focused, and IT proficient (Excel essential)

• Proactive, hands-on leadership style

• Competitive salary of £50,000 £ 55,000

• Senior, influential role within a growing food manufacturing business

• Opportunity to work within the expanding plant-based and free-from sector

• Stable, Monday Friday working hours