Technical Manager
Position: Technical Manager
Reports to: Head of Operations
Staff reporting to this position: Food Technologists
Absence cover: Food Technologists
Contract type: Permanent, Full-time
Weekly hours: 37.5 hours per week, worked at 7.5 hours a day from Monday to Friday.
Location: Unit B, Provender House, Paddock Wood Distribution Centre, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 6UU on regular basis
The purpose of your position:
Rowcliffe is Britain's leading importer and distributor of fine foods to the specialist Independent trade.
The story begins in 1967 with the young Anthony Rowcliffe resolving to change British attitudes to cheese. Having discovered artisanal cheeses from small producers at a French market, he set off in 1966, armed with his best schoolboy French to sell red wax English cheeses in France. Returning with quality speciality cheeses from all over Europe he went on to conquer the UK market and the cheese available today is thanks to Anthony’s campaign to champion and support small producers.
We are proud to say that our wider expertise in selling British and Continental cheese continues to secure prestigious invitations to be represented on judging panels for the British Cheese Awards (BCA), World Cheese Awards (WCA), Great Yorkshire Show, Global Cheese Awards, International Cheese Awards along with the high profile Concours Général cheese judging competition in France.
Our business turnover is circa £20M and around half of this is with premium multiples – M&S, Waitrose, Booths and Ocado. The other £10M is with the independents and foodservice.
As Technical Manager at Rowcliffe [part of Lactalis Group], you will be fully responsible and accountable for providing professional, effective and efficient control of technical and QA function, ensuring compliance with BRC Standard and Customer Codes of Practice (COPs) including integrity and agent standards, working with key suppliers to ensure their compliance with relevant COPs.
You will be required to comply with all Company policies and procedure without fail, including: Health & Safety, BRC food standards and Codes of Practice.
Main Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:
This is an outline job description and employees are expected to undertake other duties as directed. It is not intended as a wholly comprehensive or permanent schedule and is not part of the contract of employment.
- Maintain and progress audit performance against BRC, organic, Sedex and retailer COPs
- Managing Food safety including risk assessments, development and implementation of procedures, policies and work instructions and following up on any non compliances
- Ensure the company complies with relevant new requirements.
- Ensure producers of own label products comply with and are auditable against specific technical requirements and relevant retailer (COPs).
- Monitor, update and manage web-based customer information systems.
- Support suppliers on site where relevant to develop their approach and continuous improvement.
- Develop effective partnerships with colleagues at every level and key raw material suppliers.
- Arrange and carry out audits of non-BRC suppliers according to schedule.
- Manage timely and accurate completion of technical tasks within NPD process including retailer specifications and artwork.
- Working with QA Technologist review internal systems with regards to effectiveness and efficiency.
- Develop and maintain Internal Audits schedule and take part in internal audits at Anthony Rowcliffe & Son Ltd.
- Supplier and Raw Material approval including approval audits of new suppliers when required
- HACCP + food defence leadership.
- Internal and external KPI reporting.
- Required to undertake travel both domestically and internationally, with overnight stays. Most travel is planned however some can be at short notice.
Why you were selected:
- 5 years of relevant experience in a similar role
- HND or BS/University degree in Food Science, or related technical field
- UK driver’s license
- Quality Management processes, including: Auditing/Lead Auditing
- BRC working knowledge
- Food safety
- Food processing
- Intermediate knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Solid verbal and written communication skills
- Highly accurate with good attention to detail
- Relationship building with supply base
- Retailer-facing experience
- Critical thinking
- Good time management
- Ability to become proficient with necessary software systems
- Willingness to travel
- Uses own initiative
- Flexibility
- Team player
- Positive ‘can do’ attitude
- Strong commitment to providing an excellent service to supplier and clients alike
- Demonstrates drive
- Proactive approach to work
Please email hr@rowcliffe.co.uk for any further assistance