Job Purpose:
The Technical Team Lead is responsible for managing and supporting the Technical Assistants to ensure site compliance with food safety, quality standards, and customer specifications. The role ensures that all products meet legal and customer requirements through effective monitoring, auditing, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Technical Team Lead will work closely with production teams, customers, and regulatory bodies to maintain the highest standards of food safety and product quality.
Key Responsibilities:
Quality & Technical Management:
- Manage and support the Technical Assistants to ensure compliance with site quality standards and customer specifications.
- Maintain site quality systems to ensure products meet customer expectations and legal requirements.
- Support the product shelf-life assessment program and routine customer product assessments.
- Manage consumer/Customer complaint database and responses within agreed timelines.
- Compile and circulate monthly key performance and technical metrics reports.
- Conduct weekly quality product panels and report quality issues to relevant teams.
- Positively release finished products and generate Final Product Release documentation.
- Manage product hold and release processes, communicating effectively with production and line managers.
Food Safety & Compliance:
- Deliver food safety training and technical briefings to relevant teams.
- Audit and monitor key process controls against specifications including ingredients, weights, labelling, CCP checks (e.g. metal detection), and probe calibration.
- Identify, report, and manage food safety or quality non-conformances.
- Maintain the Quality Management System ensuring accurate recording, storage, and retrieval of documentation in line with industry best practice, customer requirements, BRC standards, and legislative regulations.
- Conduct product temperature monitoring checks and trials as required.
- Carry out pre-production swabbing checks when required (Allergen rapid tests and ATP).
Auditing & Continuous Improvement:
- Monitor factory cleaning, hygiene, and housekeeping standards through regular factory floor audits.
- Participate in internal and independent auditing programs.
- Develop and implement corrective and preventative actions for non-conformances or trending issues.
- Support management of serious incidents and implementation of corrective measures.
- Work with production teams to drive continuous improvement in quality and food safety performance.
Customer & External Engagement:
- Support and host customer visits and audits.
- Liaise with customers and statutory bodies during audits and inspections.
- Prepare and submit audit responses, corrective action plans, and customer reports within required deadlines.
- Manage responses to customer out-of-specification reports relating to microbiological or chemical analysis.
Administration & Documentation:
- Maintain and complete all required quality documentation and technical records.
- Support the management of the site training matrix and identify training requirements.
- Coordinate and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly factory documentation and archiving.
- Ensure accurate reporting and effective record keeping to demonstrate product quality and due diligence.
General Responsibilities:
- Ensure all products meet customer, regulatory, and legal requirements for food safety and quality.
- Provide technical support to production teams and respond to technical queries.
- Demonstrate proactive problem-solving and decision-making in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Perform any other duties necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role.
Essential Criteria:
- Food-related qualification.
- Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in an FMCG quality role within the food industry.
- Experience working with major retailers and hosting site audits.
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing or supporting a team.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational and report writing skills.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to complete quality documentation accurately.
- Ability to work independently and use initiative.
- Proficient written and spoken English.
- Applicants must be in good health and able to work safely in a food manufacturing environment.
Skills & Competencies:
- Team leadership and staff development
- Effective communication and stakeholder engagement
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Assertive, proactive and self-motivated approach
Health & Safety Responsibilities:
- Promote and maintain high standards of Health and Safety within the area of responsibility.
- Comply with all company Health and Safety policies, procedures, and safe systems of work.
Salary- DOE
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
