Role Purpose: At Fortnum & Mason, we are passionate about extraordinary food and drink and exceptional customer experience. With a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation, we offer an exquisite range of products designed to delight and inspire. We are now seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Food Technical to lead our technical food team to deliver world class product safety and our business strategy, while putting the customer at the heart of everything we do. The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise with outstanding emotional intelligence and leadership capabilities to drive meaningful, positive change across the business, working as a critical and trusted partner. We are looking to recruit a candidate with a forward-thinking approach, a track record in simplifying processes and the ability to harness new technologies to support current and future business growth, while continually ensuring high product safety standards are embedded and championed across all areas of the business, depots and supply base. Role Overview: Reporting to the Director of Food Technical & Sustainability you will oversee the development and delivery of Fortnum & Mason’s Technical new product development (NPD) and Product safety plans with an emphasis on product safety, and outstanding store, depots and supplier performance. You will work collaboratively and in partnership with the operational, head office and commercial teams to deliver on a series of commitments, while effectively managing and communicating current and future business risks and ensuring the business is compliant. You will have a proven track record of fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture within product safety teams. Working in partnership with our Buyers and Chefs, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our product lines, ensuring that each item aligns with our brand standards and relevant safety, allergen, and regulatory laws, while inspiring a positive, generative and forward-thinking approach to safety and compliance across all departments. Reports to: Director of Technical & Sustainability Key interfaces: Executive Team, Management Group, Commercial teams, Customer Channels, Customer Service, Retail and Hospitality management and teams, Facilities, Property, Health & Safety, Learning & Development, Logistics, Warehouse Key Responsibilities: Leadership and Team Development - Build technical capability through our people Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of food technologists, buyers and chefs, driving a high-performance culture through emotional intelligence and by modelling positive behaviours. Work with cross functional teams to ensure that detailed plans are in place to fulfil the company’s Food safety governance requirements and deliver business strategy Use your exemplary EQ to foster an inclusive, collaborative work environment that drives positive behavioural change, enhances employee engagement, and nurtures a culture of accountability and excellence. Motivate and direct/coach the teams to excellence in respect of skill sets, product knowledge, industry know how ensuring continuous professional development and a team that is up to date and well informed. Plan, develop and deliver key training for the teams ensuring they have the tools to do the job to a high standard Ensure performance management is timely and appropriate. Delivery and Execution Set the highest possible standards of delivery for our customers through Fortnum’s teams and those of our suppliers, adopting a zero-tolerance approach to all failings of quality, safety, legality and brand reputation across our own label, proprietary and restaurant offer. Inspire the teams as custodians of safety and reputation by obsessively following through on product issues Lead the delivery of the product safety agenda and drive the positive change across stores, restaurants, depots, our supply base, international HUBs, and international wholesale business for both new and existing products. Ensure the technical teams and cross functional teams are committed to the plan and have the capability in place to deliver it Work cross functionally to ensure synergies and efficiencies are optimised Ensure a product safety system is in place to deliver business legal due diligence. To include all relevant policies and procedures, document control, auditing and reporting. Key indicator metrics to be monitored to ensure food safety system is working effectively. Deliver informative, concise and accurate and timely reporting Manage withdrawal and recall at FSA level and be competent/confident in leading managing other food business Ensure external product safety audit standards are maintained and the business maintains all required 3rd party audits Deliver results and projects at pace Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence Ensure accuracy of all systems/product information from our Technical systems that feed into internal and external F&M content creation Be a role model for accuracy and right first time in all safety aspects of internal and supplier food area standards, product and packaging Demand high standards and attention to detail from our suppliers and colleagues. Supply base alignment: Lead store and supply base strategy from a product safety perspective through the effective use of performance and safety metrics and identifying new opportunities to continually improve standards Lead supplier and internal product safety team engagement through great communications, regular visits, audits and conferences painting a compelling picture so that we are our suppliers’ preferred customer Strategic Influence: Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing insights and strategic recommendations on product innovation, risk management, and customer satisfaction. Key Requirement: Proven track record of leading high-performing teams and delivering positive behaviours Deep knowledge of food safety standards, quality control, and regulatory requirements Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels of the organization. Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiating with a focus on, safety ethical practices. Experience Degree in food technology or related subject. At least 5 years’ experience in a retail environment within house restaurants would be ideal. Both internal food safety and supplier food safety experience preferred. At least 3 years’ experience of managing and developing product safety teams will be key Working knowledge of legal due diligence and UK legislation is key and experience of dealing with UK local authorities and the FSA essential. Experience in hospitality sector and non-food sectors would be beneficial. As would a working knowledge of international food law and enforcement bodies. We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment. In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards. In return, we offer: A competitive salary A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40% 25 days holidays (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum’s ingredients A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally Excellent pension scheme