Technical Manager

Brakes are currently recruiting for a Technical Manager to join the Merchandising team on a full time, permanent basis, reporting to the Head of Product Technology.   

As the Technical Manager you will work as part of a merchandising category team and manage all elements relating to Product Quality, Safety, Legality, and Integrity for a portfolio of own brand and vendor brand suppliers and products ensuring a comprehensive technical support service is provided. 

This role is offering a hybrid working contract, with 1 day per week in our Ashford, Kent office for Team Collaboration, so you must be in a commutable distance and open to travel. The earliest start date for this role is 1st July.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities: 

• Provide support, guidance and expertise to the procurement & category team in context of supplier selection, supplier expertise, product quality attributes and control parameters which will successfully contribute to exceeding customer expectations, growing sales and profit.  
• Support the European sourcing initiative to deliver against the annual growth targets. 
• Stay abreast of industry challenges, issues and developments, sharing insight within the technical, category & procurements teams to mitigate impact and support sales growth.  
• Effective supplier management from initial selection & approval, setting clear technical expectations, providing guidance & support, issuing performance updates and instigate joint business/improvement plans.  
• Maintain the own brand approved supplier database, complete initial approval and routine surveillance audits ensuring visit reports are documented and all non-conformances are effective closed out.  
• Maintain up to date specifications for all products.  
• Generate and approve own brand artwork.  
• Instigate product risk management action plan & develop an awareness of emerging issues, escalating within the business to mitigate business and customer impact.  
• Focus on complaint trending, monitoring & root case analysis, working with suppliers to support the annual KPI.  
• Instigate a robust quality assessment programme for product range.  
• Provide support & input to ensure marketing literature is informative for our customers.  
• Work closely with product development on new product launches, brand changes, product changes, tiering including first production runs where required.  
• Deliver innovative technical solutions which add value to the business in areas such as cost reduction and/or improved quality without cost increase. 

About you: 

The ideal candidate must have a technical background and have a full understanding within a food service / fast-paced technical team (QA/QC) with a relevant degree in Food Science/Technology. You will have demonstratable industry experience and knowledge of QMS, European and UK Legislations and HACCP. It is key to have excellent communication skills as you will be customer focused and be well organised and use effective project management skills. You will show tenacity and a desire to follow things through to completion, with strong planning and organisational skills, and a high attention to detail. It is highly desirable to have a Lead assessor qualification and supplier and product management experience. 

What you’ll receive: 

• A competitive salary 
• Car Allowance of £5,500 per annum. 
• Private Medical healthcare 
• Generous holiday allowance, with option to purchase 5 additional holiday days 
• Pension scheme 
• Hybrid working contract 
• Huge discounts on all sorts of lovely food and award-winning products through our staff shop 
• Discounts on Cinema tickets, shopping and earn cashback on purchases through Sodexo.  
• Recognition awards and Incentives 
• Career progression opportunities - being part of Sysco, the world’s leading foodservice business, opens up a world of possibility 

At Brakes everyone is welcome. We don’t want you to ‘fit our culture’ we want you to help define it and we actively celebrate the unique talents of each and every colleague. We don’t just look at your CV, we’re more focused on who you are and your potential. As part of our values, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone has a voice, is appreciated and has the same opportunities. We work hard to ensure that everyone feels part of our business, as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone belongs and thrives at Brakes and we recognise that Brakes can only thrive when everyone feels they belong. We'll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our resourcing team who will be happy to support you. 

Brakes

Built on a passion for food and feeding the nation, we are the UK’s largest foodservice supplier. Every day Brakes deliver the highest quality fresh and frozen food and ingredients from our nationwide network of distribution centres to some of the nation’s most famous pubs and restaurants, as well as schools, caterers, care homes and hospitals. Our customers depend on us, and our 8,000-strong workforce is dedicated and proud to be part of this vital provision. And we’re growing!