Job Summary:
The Permanent Assistant Technical Manager will support the Senior Technical Manager in ensuring food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across all manufacturing operations.
This role is critical in maintaining the highest technical and food safety standards, working closely with Production, NPD, and Quality teams to ensure product integrity and compliance with BRC, HACCP, and customer requirements.
Key Responsibilities
* Maintain and improve food safety systems, ensuring compliance with BRC, HACCP, and other standards.
* Support the development and implementation of food safety and quality management systems.
* Monitor and validate Critical Control Points (CCPs) in the manufacturing process, including cooking temperatures, metal detection, pH levels, and packaging integrity.
* Ensure all legal, customer, and regulatory requirements are met across all processes.
* Manage HACCP plans, conducting risk assessments and ensuring Critical Control Points are controlled.
* Ensure compliance with allergen controls, traceability procedures, and microbiological testing.
* Stay up to date with food legislation, industry best practices, and customer requirements.
* Conduct risk assessments and internal audits to identify and mitigate potential food safety hazards.
Quality Assurance & Product Integrity
* Support internal and external audits, including BRC and customer audits, ensuring successful compliance.
* Oversee and improve quality control processes, ensuring product consistency and adherence to specifications.
* Support quality control checks throughout the production process to ensure products meet specifications.
* Investigate and resolve non-conformances, customer complaints, and product recalls, ensuring effective root cause analysis and corrective actions.
* Work closely with Production to improve quality standards and reduce waste.
* Assist in the validation of new equipment, processes, and packaging materials to maintain food safety.
* Conduct regular traceability checks across all product types.
* Ensure all labels comply with labeling legislation and customer requirements.
* Support an effective pest control management process across internal and external site areas.
* Enforce hygiene rules, including handwashing, PPE, and change procedures.
Technical Support & Continuous Improvement
* Train staff on food safety, hygiene, and quality assurance procedures.
* Work alongside NPD, Operations, and Procurement teams to ensure new products meet technical standards.
* Conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
* Support the validation of processes, equipment, and packaging materials for food safety compliance.
* Identify opportunities for technical improvements, innovation, and efficiency gains.
Essential Criteria
* Experience in a technical or quality assurance role within food manufacturing.
* Strong knowledge of BRC, HACCP, and food safety regulations.
* Experience managing audits, non-conformances, and compliance documentation.
* Ability to analyze technical data, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
* Strong communication skills for working across multiple departments and with external auditors.
* Level 3 in Food Safety or above.
* Experience with quality management systems (QMS) and traceability systems.
* Proactive, problem-solving mindset with attention to detail.
Desirable Criteria
* Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
* Level 3 or 4 HACCP Certification.
* Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor qualification.
* Experience working with technical standards and customer compliance requirements.