Head of Technical | Willand

Meatex Ltd; Cullompton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading UK food manufacturer as Head of Technical, overseeing technical strategy, compliance, and product safety in the poultry sector. With direct reports and close collaboration with senior leadership, this role is pivotal to ensuring high standards and quality integrity across the site, while fostering team development and professional growth.

Benefits

33 days annual leave including bank holidays

Refer a friend scheme

Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme

50% discount for friends and family at Boparan Restaurant Group

Cycle2Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Experienced leader with a strong technical background in the poultry sector.
• Proven success in managing large teams and influencing senior leadership.
• Background in ensuring product safety, quality integrity, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage customer expectations and ensure compliance with codes of practice.
• Lead delivery of BRCGS, retailer, and internal audits.
• Oversee the technical and hygiene teams, aligning with company objectives.

Skills

Poultry or other protein industry experience

Strong leadership skills

Experience at senior leadership level within a technical function

Proven track record in managing and leading BRCGS and retailer audits

Strong cross-functional influencing and collaboration skills

Education

L4 Food Safety

L4 HACCP

Industry recognised technical qualification – HND/Degree or equivalent

Internal Auditing Qualification

IOSH

Job description

Working Hours:Monday – Friday, 40 hours a week

Salary:Highly Competitive + Benefits

About Us

Join2 Sisters Food Group, one of the UK’s largest food manufacturers, with an annual turnover exceeding £3 billion and approximately 13,000 employees across 16 sites. We have a strong presence in poultry, chilled, and bakery food categories, including popular brands like Holland’s pies. We are committed to delivering high-quality products to the British public and our retail and food service customers, including major retailers like Aldi, Asda, Co-op, KFC, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Head of Technical to join our team. This pivotal role will have 4 direct reports within Technical, Compliance, Hygiene and Animal Welfare, ensuring product safety, quality integrity and welfare while delivering the technical strategy for the site. You will be working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and providing advice and technical guidance to various departments. As a customer-facing role, you’ll manage customer expectations and lead on the delivery of key technical projects. Team leadership and cross-functional collaboration are key aspects of this role, and you’ll have the opportunity to make a significant impact in driving the site’s technical function.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage customer expectations and ensure compliance with code of practice
• Ensure the technical strategy is effectively delivered
• Lead and manage BRCGS, retailer and 2SFG governance audits
• Oversee the technical and hygiene teams, ensuring their alignment with the company’s objectives
• Work cross-functionally with NPD, operations, engineering and senior management
• Provide technical advice to senior stakeholders
  

About You

You are an experienced and results-driven leader with a strong technical background. Ideally, you have extensive experience in poultry or other protein sectors, with a proven track record of managing large teams and influencing at senior leadership level. You’re someone who thrives in a customer-facing environment, managing product safety and quality, and have demonstrated success in driving technical strategies forward.

Key Skills

• Poultry or other protein industry experience
• Strong leadership skills
• Experience at senior leadership level within a technical function
• Proven track record in managing and leading BRCGS and retailer audits
• Experience supplying multiple retailers
• Strong cross-functional influencing and collaboration skills
• Experience in poultry or other proteins
• Familiarity with retailer standards and audits

Key Qualifications

• L4 Food Safety
• L4 HACCP
• Industry recognised technical qualification – HND/Degree or equivalent
• Internal Auditing Qualification
• IOSH
• 33 days annual leave including bank holidays
• Refer a friend scheme
• Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme and Grocery Aid are free and confidential support services 365 days a year
• Boparan Restaurant Group Discount – 50% discount for friends and family. (Giraffe, Slim Chickens, Ed’s Easy Diner, FishWorks, Cinnamon Collections, Carluccio’s, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Carl’s Jr)
• Cycle2Work Scheme

Why Join Us?

As one of the UK’s largest food manufacturers, we provide ample opportunities for career growth and skill development. We emphasise promoting from within, ensuring you can build a rewarding career with us.

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