As ‘England’s Cheddar Maker’, Wyke Farms is the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and a leader in sustainable farming and renewable energy. With a heritage rooted in Somerset and a commitment to leaving the land better than we found it, we blend tradition with innovation to produce award-winning Cheddar and butter enjoyed around the world.
At Wyke, we do things the ‘Wyke Way’: taking the time to do things properly, keeping the craft sacred, obsessing over every detail, and always giving back more than we take. It’s about pride in our work, care for our community and countryside, and a commitment to leaving a legacy for future generations.
Role Overview:
We are looking for an experienced and proactive Group Technical Manager to lead our Technical function. In this key role, you will guide and develop the technical teams to achieve their objectives whilst supporting the Technical Director in advocating and driving standards to meet and surpass regulatory and customer requirements
The Group Technical Manager will report directly to the Technical Director and collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners.
Key Responsibilities:
Collaboration & Leadership Across Sites
- Work closely with the Technical Director to support the strategic direction of the Technical function.
- Support and develop the Technical teams across the group.
- Collaborate effectively with site management teams, including Production, Engineering, and other support functions.
- Drive technical improvements, continuous improvement initiatives, and best-practice alignment.
- Deliver clear Technical and compliance-related communication across all levels of the business
Compliance Leadership
- Ensure conformance to customer and regulatory requirements through leadership and support.
- Lead and manage compliance through the technical team.
- Advocate high levels of compliance throughout the Wyke Farms group.
Ongoing development of systems and exploring new technology for improving efficiency and traceability.
Technical Innovation & Regulatory Awareness
- Stay ahead of emerging legislation, exporting requirements, and technical trends.
- Communicate changes clearly to the business and implement necessary updates.
- Assess risks proactively and develop strategies to protect product quality and brand reputation.
- Lead and support Product Development.
Customer & Market Requirements
- Act as the central point of contact for customer technical requirements - domestic retailers, foodservice partners, and international customers.
- Ensure all product specifications, labelling, certifications, and documentation meet the expectations of each customer and market.
- Maintain understanding of differing global requirements and ensure compliance.
Lead and develop the technical teams to deliver a high functioning and knowledgeable resource to drive business awareness and compliance with food safety.
Qualification, Skills and Experience:
- Strong background in food technical management within the dairy or related sector.
- Experience with major retail customers and export technical requirements.
- Proven track record in managing technical teams.
- Demonstrable audit leadership experience.
- Strong communication, organisation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Multi-site working capability with a proactive approach.
- Strong understanding of quality systems, food safety standards, and regulatory compliance.
What We Offer:
- A Competitive salary which will be based on experience and qualifications
- A generous benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
- A supportive and collaborative work environment.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
