Food Technical Manager jobs in Northern Ireland

Group Head of Technical

Location: Northern Ireland
Salary: Excellent senior package, depending on experience

Senior technical leadership role with real influence

We are seeking an experienced Group Head of Technical to join a high-growth food manufacturing business.

This is a senior leadership appointment with real influence across food safety, quality, technical governance, supplier assurance, co-manufacturing, R&D, customer standards and regulatory compliance.

The business continues to growing strongly and works with major international customers. It now needs an experienced technical leader who can protect standards, support growth as part of the leadership team.

The role

As Group Head of Technical, you will lead the technical, quality and food safety agenda across the business.

You will work closely with senior leadership, operations, commercial, NPD, customers, suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure strong standards are maintained across all products and sites.

This role will suit someone who enjoys being close to manufacturing while also having the confidence to operate at senior leadership level.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the group technical, quality and food safety strategy.
• Set and maintain strong standards across the manufacturing site, suppliers and co-manufacturing partners.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS, customer, retailer and regulatory standards.
• Strengthen governance across HACCP, allergen control, traceability, risk assessment, supplier assurance, recalls and withdrawals.
• Support NPD and innovation with early technical input, ensuring products are safe, scalable and compliant.
• Lead, coach and develop technical and quality teams.
• Build strong working relationships with customers, auditors, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Anticipate technical risks and provide clear, practical guidance when issues arise.
• Challenge constructively when standards, compliance or brand reputation could be at risk.

What we are looking for

You will be an experienced technical leader from the food manufacturing sector, with the presence and communication style to influence at all levels.

You may currently be operating as a Head of Technical, Site Technical Manager, Group Technical Manager, Technical Director, Senior Technical Manager or similar.

You will need:

• Strong senior technical leadership experience within food manufacturing.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, quality systems, BRCGS and customer standards.
• Experience leading audits, technical investigations, corrective actions and customer technical matters.
• Strong people leadership and stakeholder management ability.
• The confidence to challenge production, commercial and senior leadership when needed.
• A calm, steady and measured approach under pressure.
• The ability to communicate clearly from factory floor to boardroom.
• Sound judgement around risk, compliance, customer expectations and brand protection.
• A practical, hands-on leadership style.

Experience in high-risk, chilled, fresh prepared, baked or ambient, allergen-controlled or complex food manufacturing would be helpful. The most important requirement is strong technical leadership, sound judgement and calm leadership presence.

Why apply?

This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior technical leadership role in a highly successful food brand with major international customers.

You will have the opportunity to shape technical standards, influence senior decision-making, develop teams and play a key role in protecting and supporting the next stages of business growth.

For a confidential discussion, please apply with your CV or contact Lilyanna McCaul at Quorum Search Partners.

INDHS

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person