Technical Manager - Clayton Park Bakery

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 07:00 – 16:00 (some flexibility required around these hours)
Location: Clayton Park Bakery, Unit 20, Petre Road, Clayton Le Moors, BB5 5JB

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and ambitious Technical Manager to lead the Technical function across two manufacturing sites, located directly opposite each other, covering two distinct product categories.

This is an exciting opportunity combining responsibility for an established manufacturing operation with the opportunity to play a leading role in commissioning a brand-new manufacturing facility.

You will have the opportunity to shape the technical standards, systems and culture of the new site from the ground up, while continuing to drive technical excellence, food safety and product quality across the existing operation.

This is much more than a traditional Technical Manager role. We are looking for someone who can lead confidently and remain close to the operation.

Here’s What You Can Expect to be Doing

As Technical Manager, you will provide overall technical leadership across both sites, ensuring the highest standards of food safety, quality, legality and customer compliance.
You will work closely with Operations, Engineering, NPD, Procurement, Supply Chain and Senior Management, providing technical expertise, constructive challenge and practical solutions.
A key part of your role will be leading the technical elements of the new site development, including:

Ensuring hygienic design and food safety principles are built into the facility.
Developing HACCP and technical systems for the new operation.
Leading validation and verification activities.
Supporting commissioning, trials and first production.
Preparing the site for customer approval and certification.
Establishing a strong food safety and quality culture from day one.
Alongside this, you will lead the Technical function at the existing site, driving improvements in food safety, quality, customer satisfaction, audit performance and technical standards.

A Few Things About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

Operational – comfortable being visible on the factory floor and understanding the realities of manufacturing.
A Leader – able to develop people, build capability and create a high-performing Technical team.
A Challenger – confident to question, influence and make difficult decisions when required.
Commercially Minded – understands how Technical can protect the consumer and business while enabling growth and operational performance.
Forward Thinking – interested in improving systems, developing people and creating better ways of working.

You will ideally have:

Strong Technical/Quality experience within food manufacturing.
Experience working within a BRCGS/SALSA environment.
Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety and quality systems.
Experience managing audits, customer requirements and technical investigations.
Experience leading and developing a Technical or Quality team.
Strong communication and influencing skills.
The confidence to challenge and support Operations constructively.
A practical, solutions-focused approach.
The ability to manage competing priorities and work across multiple operations.

Site commissioning, major expansion or new-site start-up would be highly advantageous, although we would also consider strong Technical Managers who can demonstrate the leadership, technical capability and ambition required for the opportunity.
Why This Role?
This is a rare opportunity to join a business at an exciting stage of development and have a genuine influence on its future.
You will have the opportunity to:

Lead Technical across two manufacturing sites.
Work across two different product categories.
Lead the Technical development of a brand-new manufacturing site.
Shape systems, standards and culture from the ground up.
Influence senior leadership and operational strategy.
Develop and lead a Technical team.
Drive meaningful improvements in food safety, quality and customer performance.
Play a key role in the future growth and development of the manufacturing operation.

The challenge is significant. So is the opportunity.
If you are an experienced Technical professional looking for a role where you can lead, influence, build and make a real difference, we would like to hear from you.