Technical and Quality Manager - Food Production
The company, Mr. Crumb, is a family-run business located in a rural area.
Job Purpose/Primary Objective:
As site Technical and Quality Manager, you will develop, implement, and ensure compliance with legal, certification, and customer requirements for food safety and quality. You will guarantee that the products supplied by the company meet statutory and customer requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
* Foster a positive spirit and lead by example to manage the technical and quality assurance function in a fair, respectful, and constructive manner.
* Liaise regularly with Departmental Managers and Operations Manager on quality assurance matters to address them promptly.
* Initiate change, be innovative, and flexible to achieve continuous improvements in quality assurance.
* Encourage and support ideas from colleagues, engaging them in the quality assurance process.
* Solve problems and find solutions demonstrating lateral thinking and objectivity to ensure the validity and appropriateness of the HACCP system.
* Liaise with the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine.
* Maintain site GFSI certification standards.
Technical Governance and Support:
* Provide Mr. Crumb with technical knowledge and advice on food safety and legal requirements to support business vision, needs, and goals.
* Develop and improve quality systems and process plans for site operations to meet company and agreed customer requirements along with EU rules and regulations.
* Implement technical improvement projects in response to potential non-conformances exposed through audits and customer complaints.
* Regulatory compliance; inform the company on impending legislation changes, scientific and technical development, codes of practice, or other changes impacting the business.
* Share knowledge, experience, and skills on advanced food hygiene, comprehensive microbiological understanding, product specification requirements, liaison with key customer contacts, and management of technical relationships.
Research and Development:
* Participate in R&D Steering processes for strategic projects involving new ingredients, components, or product types.
* Risk assessment of Mr. Crumb products in each customer's application.
* Risk assessment of all new engineering, processing equipment, and plant service-related proposed investments or modifications to comply with BRCGS.
Team Development:
* Develop the Technical team by leading by example, mentoring, advising, encouraging teamwork, and communicating key goals and information.
* Set meaningful and measurable goals for departmental members, monitor progress, and provide regular feedback and support for improvement and encouragement for individual development.
Requirements:
* A relevant 3rd level qualification in Food Science or a related subject.
* Previous experience within food manufacturing Technical or Quality management, particularly in a processing environment of prepared foods.
* Experience working with retailers and their audit requirements.
* BRCGS certification audit experience.
* Good IT skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
* Experience managing projects, people, and colleagues to achieve results.
* Ability to work under strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work independently.
Personal Attributes:
* Good interpersonal skills, personal confidence, and effective communication at all levels.
* Assertiveness, decisiveness, calmness, and approachability.
* Judgement skills and provision of solutions to challenges.
* High organization, flexibility, autonomy, and creativity.