Job Description

Job Title:

Technical Manager

Reports to:

Group Technical Manager

Job Objective (Purpose):

The

Technical Manager

will keepstrategic and tactical responsibility for implementing technical strategy and strategic operational goals to exceed customer expectations for delivery of product quality, driving operational excellence.
Implementation of food safety and quality procedures in the factory in line with the requirements of the BRC Global Standard. E.g. HACCP plan. Responsible for maintaining the safety, quality and legality of products produced or handled across allocated regional sites. Management and development of the technical team within the region. Driving continuous improvement in the food safety ad management systems such as by implementing the BRC Global Standard similar standards for distribution or smaller scale operations.

Key Responsibilities / Accountabilities (Job Duties and Tasks)

Managing a Team

Where there are colleagues reporting directly to the QA Manager, responsible for ensuring they have clear measurable objectives and development plans. If colleagues report to other functions, then support for this process is provided.

Recruitment and Retention

Where there are colleagues reporting directly to the QA Manager responsible for ensuring this resource are maintained at an appropriate level in line with the business needs.

Customer Focus

Ensuring product quality meets the requirements of the specification. Co ordination and management of daily product taste panel Non-compliant product released only with clearance from. Designated personnel. Management of allocated factory complaint investigations in line with agreed procedures. Collation of data regarding factory complaints development of recommended actions to improve performance Implementation of product control procedures, e.g. recall procedures Provision of technical advice, customer information in line with company procedures

Operational Excellence

HACCP Team Leader - manage the site HACCP team and plan scheduled meetings, ensure the site plan is implemented to schedule. Management of CCP audits where required. Complete all allocated internal audits to plan. Ensure the site maintains grade A BRC accreditation. Facilitate product recalls/withdrawals at site and collate relevant documents Plan and Conduct challenge testing product recall / withdrawal. Manage traceability challenge testing to schedule and complete relevant documentation. Implement and review food safety and quality procedures in the factory to a schedule / requirements. Drive operational standards for food safety and quality in the factory including control of pre-requisite system e.g. housekeeping / hygiene, supplier / ingredient approval, allergen control, pest control, specifications and product information. Provide key performance reports to deadlines. Provide advice and support as required for the designated site and teams e.g. projects, training dept, etc. Implementation and coordination of positive release procedure.

Compliance

Ensuring HACCP controls are implemented and operating adequately. Operation of daily tasks for QA Technicians Implementation of routine and internal audits as scheduled for technical team. Implementation of monitoring of pre-requisite programs e.g. pest control, water potability, etc Development of action plans and monitoring of completion.

Business Development

Assists in the development of the food safety strategy for the site via the management review process. Contributes to harmonised factory procedures via working parties / project teams. Contributes to discussion on development of technical strategy / plan via review meetings.

Cost Control

Operates the QA function within the agreed budget Raises orders for approval by Group Technical Manager/ Director

Accountability Compliance

Update and maintain micro sampling schedule / LIMS system in conjunction with Regional QMS Manager

Ensuring HACCP controls are operating in line with the plan.

Complete routine and internal audits as scheduled and provide non compliance reports where required.

Implementation and manage pre-requisite programs e.g. pest control, water potability, etc

Ensure consistency, clarity, and accuracy of operational records relating to food safety and quality.

Manage and conduct product quality of the site and communicate the results to the relevant team members with actions required.

Ensure quality time is allocated to the factory production areas to provide technical support and standards of operation are maintained. Agreed with regional technical manager.

Escalation of quality, safety or legal issues in a timely manner as per local procedures.

Liaising proactively with the local enforcement agency - Environmental Health Officer / Trading Standards and follow up any actions where required.

Ensuring canteen operations and standards comply with legal and company requirements.

Complete the technical section of new equipment packs

Provide information for site weekly / period reports

Accountability Operational Excellence

HACCP Team Leader responsible for the development & implementation of the HACCP plan.

Facilitates the HACCP meetings at site and provides meeting minutes to capture information discussed and appropriate actions as agreed

Micro analysis provide weekly micro performance summary to group technical team.

Coordination of micro non compliance to relevant personnel and assist in the investigation if required.

Investigate food safety-related incidents and follow up actions as required.

Complete monthly micro information to summarise performance in relation to acceptable micro results and actions taken.

Positive release of products where appropriate

Liaise with the laboratory for micro samples to be sent to Campden for Ribotyping.

Communication of listeria Ribotyping results to group technical team relevant site management.

Implementation of Critical Control Point procedures and actions.

Implementation of food safety and quality procedures in the factory in line with the requirements of the BRC Global Standard

Driving operational standards for food safety and quality. E.g. Housekeeping and hygiene, product quality, etc

Ensures calibration of equipment to the schedule

Monitoring of supplier / service supplier approval information and supplier contacts (e.g. complaints, laboratories and laundries).

Maintenance of allergen information identification, risk assessment, control as per guide.

Complete allergen verification and validation tests as per schedule

Developing and maintaining procedures to support other functions complete their food safety and quality responsibilities e.g. traceability, transport, etc

Manage the performance of the pest control contractor and review thecontract / service as per schedule.

Provide management reports as required for the HACCP team and senior food safety meetings.

General

This is an extremely fast paced position within the company, and you will interact with most company departments. Work hours are irregular and will be influenced by problems needing instant action. You will be working in a temperature-controlled environment.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR JOB ROLE

Essential

Desirable

Skills

e.g.


Computer literacy


Project Management


Interpersonal



Managing People

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Highly numeric

Good IT skills

Auditing skills

Influencing skills

Time management

Project management


Professional detachment and objectivity.

Job Related Experience

e.g.


Number of year experiencerequiredto do the role


Does the experience need to be industry specific



Food Manufacturing experience, min5years

Application of HACCP

Application of BRC Global Standard

Managing team

Routine / internal auditing

Database operationand implementation.

Knowledge and application of key technology related to products manufactured


Experience of implementing BRC.

Databaseimplementation

Supplier auditing

Essential Qualification

e.g.


Professional


Vocational, i.e. City and Guilds


Educational (whereappropriate)



Degree in science/food-basedsubject

Level 4 Food Hygiene

Level4HACCP


Leadership certification

LeadAssessor(auditing)

Additional Information

Driving License



Yes





Mobility



Needs to travel in line with role requirements





Other



Needs to offer out of hours contact