About this role

Are you an established Technical & Compliance Leader, with strong experience within FMCG?

Do you have robust knowledge of food safety regulations, industry standards, and quality management systems?

Do you wish to work for a business that encourages team collaboration to enable business and individual growth, with a passion of meeting customer and consumer needs. If so, we may have the perfect role for you...

We are recruiting a Head of Technical & Compliance for a leading UK Confectionery Distributor, working across multiple sites (predominantly Loughborough and Sutton-In-Ashfield). This is a brand new opening to lead an inspiring and dedicated team, reporting in to the Groups People & Service Director.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing and innovative business, and be part of a vivacious and supportive company. Working for this people centric organisation, the successful applicant will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Groups commitment to supply safe, high-quality, authentic products that meet or exceed customer expectations, legal requirements, and industry best practice.

Duties include but not limited to:

The successful applicant will lead the Groups compliance and regulatory requirements, within the packing, distribution facilities and 3rd party suppliers. To provide technical expertise and guidance to the Group to ensure continuation in standards and certification. Working closely with your team members to consistently deliver high quality products that meet regulatory, customer and brand requirements.

  • Adopt a sustainable and commercial approach to quality and food safety culture through the continuous improvement of effective food safety and quality management systems meeting BRC, customer standards and industry best practice across the group.
  • Leadership of the technical and compliance teams to ensure food safety and quality standards are documented, communicated and implemented by colleagues across the group.
  • Lead on audits across the group in relation to technical standards, legal and environmental. Working closely with stakeholders across the business to ensure ethical compliance.
  • Certify the success of the food safety and quality management systems through a scheduled program of internal and external audits.
  • Establish food safety and quality objectives, ensuring continuous improvement and compliance with all standards and regulations.
  • Monitor, trend and deliver company performance against objectives to the senior leadership team.
  • Ensure that company food safety, quality standards and expectations are met by 3rd party suppliers.
  • Promotion of food safety and quality for company employees and suppliers by identifying training requirements, and encouraging communication of any issues that may affect the safety or quality of products wherever they may occur within the supply chain.
  • Review and revise company policies and objectives, including legislative changes or technical knowledge development.
  • Collaborate with the senior leadership team to develop, implement and maintain a food safety and quality culture throughout the distribution and packing facilities.
  • Link the technical and compliance capabilities across the Group into a central support function that advises the business on risk, regulatory requirements, and best practice.
  • Develop and deliver the Groups technical compliance strategy.
  • Working alongside the Head of Product to manage workload/projects on New Product Development to provide regulatory and technical compliance advice as part of New Product Development project teams at company own facilities and at 3rd party supplier partner factories.
  • Work with the customer service and buying team to identify and manage product issues to meet both commercial and safety requirements.
  • Lead on investigations into quality incidents, working with cross-functional teams to identify root causes and develop corrective actions.
  • Advise the senior leadership team on product recall and withdrawal requirements.

What we are looking for:

  • Ideally the successful applicant will hold a Bachelors degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field.
  • Advanced HACCP, Food Safety and Auditing qualifications.
  • Sound knowledge of food safety regulations, industry standards, and quality management systems.
  • Be an excellent communicator, leader, and hold strong problem-solving skills.

Analytical, with a strong eye for attention to detail.

  • Experience of managing technical and compliance functions within a BRC site previously to a high level.
  • Have in depth knowledge of manufacturing processes, along with understanding of GMP & GFSI standards or similar.
  • Be a driver of continuous improvement and able to implement change across the business.
  • Able to demonstrate successful leadership of technical and compliance teams, by motivating, empowering team members to drive excellence within your jurisdiction.
  • Competent at effectively communicating at a senior level and able to influence at all levels.

Benefits include:

Salary - £55,000-£60,000

Company Car or Car Allowance

Hybrid Working 3 days split across sites/2 days from home (37.5 hours, with a flexible approach)

Full Induction and training (role will be fully on site during the initial training)

25 days holiday, plus bank holidays

Life Assurance