Nando's is on a journey to Create Lasting Happiness, making a difference to the lives of our people, our customers, and the communities we work in. Originally started in Johannesburg, South Africa, we pride ourselves on creating memorable experiences for everyone involved in Nando's: from our employees, communities, founders, and suppliers, but most importantly, our customers. We have identified several organisational shifts as part of our ongoing business strategy. Sat within our Supply Chain department, the Technical Sourcing team is responsible for developing strategies with purpose, to ensure we source ethical, safe, legal, great quality products and services for our customers, with ambitious sustainability and animal welfare commitments that we are proud of. We are looking for an experienced, specialist Technical Manager, responsible for everything Protein, to join the team. Overall purpose:
* Support the development and subsequent implementation of the Nando's Technical Sourcing and Chicken strategy
* Play an integral role in the NPD/ EPD and launch process, attending key meetings where required supporting the Head of Technical Sourcing, and coordinating the activity of the product and quality systems technologists in support of the process and meetings.
* Effectively manage your supply base, driving and influencing change internally & externally, utlising your skillset and expertise to ensure ingredients and finished products are compliant with Nando's product safety, quality, ethical, legal, sustainability standards.
* Lead, inspire, coach and develop your team of Technologists.
A day in the life:
* Implement, maintain and drive continuous improvement in the supply base, using set strategic and operational technical plans and KPIs, aligning with the wider Nando's team plans, for all products in your category.
* Ensure that all NPD for your category meets the Nando's Food Policy requirements complies with all the relevant legislation and is delivered on-time and to specification, with accurate nutrition/allergen information.
* Investigate food safety and quality innovation for your category (covering product, equipment and packaging).
* Support the Quality Systems Technologist, to design and evolve systems, procedures and processes which demonstrably deliver the Nando's Food Policy, to deliver change and implement these across your category to drive continuous improvements.
* Keep abreast of supply chain, relevant legislation change and product trends for your category, actively drive change and influence Nando's NPD and Policy to meet any new trends, with support from the Quality Systems technologist.
7+ years, sound protein experience in food manufacturing (retail/QSR ideal), with a focus on supplier management in chilled and frozen poultry.
* 3+ years people management experience with proven ability to coach, lead, inspire and develop a team.
* Knowledge of BRCGS/Red Tractor/RSPCA and key legislative requirements within the poultry sector.
* Proven track record of leading successful product development initiatives with sound knowledge of process and equipment in support of product safety and quality
* In-depth understanding of what good looks like for quality, safety, legal, ethical, welfare and sustainability standards for the product supply chains.
* Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills with the ability to work across multi-functional teams
* Experience and track record of end-to-end product quality and yield management
* Strong problem solving and root cause analysis skills with continuous
* improvement/lean manufacturing.
* Demonstrate and encourage behaviours that foster the Nando's values of Pride, Passion, Courage, Integrity & Family
Ideal qualifications include - Food Science/Agriculture or related field degree, Poultry Welfare, HACCP Min Level 3, Allergen Management, VACCP/TACCP, Food labelling/law
This is a hybrid role and you will be required in our Putney offices 3 times a week. You may be required to work additional hours as necessary to fulfil your role and meet the demands of the business, this may include weekends and Bank holidays in order to cover escalations or emergencies.
* 25 days holiday + bank holidays
* Free Nando's when you're working (and 40% discount when you're not)
* Annual team trips, AKA a free holiday
* Reward membership scheme and access to great discounts
* Four-week sabbatical every five years you've been with us
* Private healthcare