The Company
Our client is a prestigious and highly respected premium retail and hospitality business with an international reputation for quality, innovation and exceptional customer experience.
With a diverse portfolio of own-brand products and a complex global supply chain, they are committed to maintaining the highest standards of product quality, food safety, sustainability and ethical sourcing.
As part of their continued growth, they are seeking an experienced technical leader to join their Technical & Sustainability function.
The Role
Reporting to the Director of Technical & Sustainability, the Category Technical Manager will provide technical leadership across a broad portfolio of food and non-food own-label products.
This is a pivotal role responsible for managing the technical and corporate social responsibility (CSR) elements of the new product development process, supplier approval programmes, technical compliance, auditing, specification management and supplier quality systems.
Leading a small team, you will work cross-functionally with Buying, Product Development, Quality, Sustainability and Operational teams, while building strong partnerships across a diverse supplier base.
You will be instrumental in ensuring products are developed and launched with full legal compliance, robust due diligence, effective risk management and industry-leading quality standards.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead the technical delivery of new product development projects, ensuring all technical, regulatory and CSR requirements are met within agreed timelines.
- Act as the technical expert within cross-functional project teams, influencing stakeholders and driving successful product launches.
- Oversee the creation, review and approval of product specifications across food and non-food categories.
- Ensure all products meet legal, safety, quality, traceability and international compliance requirements.
- Develop, implement and continuously improve supplier quality management systems.
- Manage supplier approval processes, audits and ongoing supplier performance programmes.
- Conduct supplier audits and site visits, ensuring corrective actions are implemented and closed effectively.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives relating to product quality, food safety, ethical sourcing and sustainability.
- Monitor and report on supplier performance, CSR commitments, worker welfare and modern slavery risk management.
- Maintain and develop operational procedures, policies and codes of practice to manage business risk.
- Lead technical training programmes for internal stakeholders and suppliers.
- Manage surveillance testing programmes and ensure trends, risks and performance data are reported effectively.
- Lead, coach and develop Technical Development Technologists to deliver high levels of performance and engagement.
Person Profile
The successful candidate will be a credible and influential technical professional with a strong track record within retail, manufacturing or a related consumer goods environment.
You will possess:
A scientific degree or equivalent qualification.
A minimum of five years' experience in a technical, quality or food safety role.
Proven experience leading technical activities within a product development environment.
Strong supplier auditing, supplier assurance and quality management experience.
Experience creating, reviewing and approving product specifications.
Demonstrable success influencing cross-functional stakeholders and driving change.
Previous people management and team leadership experience.
Strong knowledge of quality management systems, food safety standards and regulatory requirements.
Excellent project management, organisation and prioritisation skills.
The ability to analyse complex information, make sound decisions and solve problems effectively.
Strong communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
A proactive, delivery-focused approach with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational execution.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced technical leader looking to play a key role in shaping product quality, supplier standards and sustainability performance within a highly regarded organisation.