Assistant Technical Manager Annual Salary: £35,000 to £45,000 Location: Worcester Job Type: Full-time This is a fulltime role with some flexibility required in working hours due to the seasonal nature of the business. 5 days a week, spread over a business week of Sunday to Friday. We are seeking a Technical Manager to oversee the technical function at our client, managing quality, food safety, and legality of all products grown and packed. This role is pivotal in ensuring the smooth operation of the Technical Department, leading and developing team members, and maintaining high technical standards across all site staff. The successful candidate will build strong relationships with customers and ensure compliance with industry standards. Day-to-day of the role: Ensure site compliance with all relevant standards, being audit-ready at all times. Maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) and HACCP Plan, ensuring all business policies and procedures are up-to-date. Act as the primary technical contact for customers, managing quality issues, investigating complaints, and managing technical crises. Foster a culture of quality ownership within the production team. Plan proactively for potential quality concerns and liaise daily with the farm manager to manage stock based on field conditions. Lead and coach the Quality Control (QC) team, supporting their development and operational effectiveness. Handle administrative tasks such as recording customer complaints, collecting samples for analysis, updating product specifications, and completing customer due diligence requests. Assist in managing the hygiene team to ensure all areas are cleaned as per schedule. Support in the management of technical crises and the New Product Development (NPD) process. Conduct routine product benchmarking and manage the site pest control programme. Collaborate with HR to ensure compliance with worker welfare and ethical policies, and support during SMETA audits. Required Skills & Qualifications: BSc (Hons) in Food Science, Horticulture, or Agricultural discipline. HACCP Level 3 and Lead Auditor qualifications. Strong quality background with experience in fresh produce and working with major retailers. Excellent understanding of BRC and retailer standards. Experience in internal and supplier auditing. Demonstrable knowledge of systems controlling food safety, legality, and quality (e.g., HACCP, GMP, Hygiene). Exceptional understanding of quality control and industry standards. Working knowledge of farming and crop production; farming background is beneficial. Proficient in Microsoft Office with excellent communication, decision-making, and leadership skills. Must hold a full, clean, and valid driving license. Benefits: Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Opportunities for professional growth and development. Flexible working hours, accommodating the seasonal nature of the business. To apply for this Technical Manager position, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role.