More Than Just A Job
What we are looking for
Mindful Chef is seeking a seasoned expert in Protein, Produce & Grocery to join our Commercial Team as a Senior Technical Manager. This role is pivotal in developing and maintaining the quality and range of our products. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of industry experience, preferably across all three disciplines, and will be a key influencer regarding industry issues and supply chain management.
You are
You will
* Supplier Management: Manage all technical aspects with suppliers, including due diligence, quality, specifications, QAS, factory trials, and launches, establish relevant performance KPI’s to drive improved standards YoY.
* Relationship Building: Develop strong relationships and lines of communication with suppliers' technical team and management to ensure focus on the Mindful Chef business is prioritised and rapid responsiveness to issues delivered.
* Quality, Safety, and Legality: Oversee quality, safety, and legality from source to final customer, ensuring compliance with Mindful Chef and industry standards.
* Expertise: Serve as the go-to expert for technical and industry matters related to Meat, Fish, Poultry, and other proteins.
* Performance Management: Record and report on supplier performance, focusing on quality and technical aspects.
* Team Management: Support and develop the technical team, to ensure that strategic goals and objectives are shared, understood, and achieved.
* Collaborative Working: Work closely with key stakeholders within the commercial and supply chain teams to ensure a joined-up approach, with consistent messaging applied to supplier management.
* Compliance: Ensure suppliers meet or exceed Mindful Chef brand standards and relevant industry standards.
* Supplier Audits: Completion of announced and unannounced supplier audits.
* Systems Management: Manage and maintain supplier approval, start-up, and data systems, including specification and supplier management systems.
* Factory Standards: Monitor and ensure factory standards align with Mindful Chef standards.
* Brand Enhancement: Identify and uphold production standards that enhance the Mindful Chef brand, including provenance and environmental standards.
* Complaint Management: Analyse complaints data to drive quality improvement and follow up on serious customer issues.
* Packaging Review: Ensure packaging is innovative, fit for purpose, widely recycled, and showcases the product effectively.
* Quality Review: Implement a quality review and benchmarking process throughout the year.
* New Product Launches: Collaborate with commercial managers and development teams to launch new products, ensuring all technical deadlines are met.
Your profile
Qualifications:
* Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Technical Manager, including relevant product areas (Meat, Fish, Poultry, Produce, Ambient, Chilled Manufactured Products, Packaged Dry Goods, Herbs, Spices, and Canned Goods).
* Lead Auditor qualification.
* Advanced (Level 4) HACCP.
* Advanced food safety.
* Extensive knowledge of BRC Food & Storage and distribution standards, ISO, GFSI SEDEX and LEAF Standards.
* Extensive experience in retail product and supplier management.
* Strong food science background with knowledge of microbiological and chemical aspects of food safety and product quality.
* Fully conversant with food legal and safety legislation.
* Familiarity with a wide range of food packaging formats and materials in the industry.
* Deep industry knowledge, strong networks, and awareness of industry issues.
* Proven ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team.
* Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
* Full driving licence.
Key Competencies:
* Leadership: Ability to inspire and lead the technical team to achieve high performance and meet organisational goals.
* Technical Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of technical concepts, trends, and best practices, with hands-on experience in relevant technologies.
* Strategic Thinking: Capability to develop and implement technical strategies aligned with business objectives.
* Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to convey complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
* Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring successful delivery on time and within budget.
Why us?
* A competitive package that rewards your skills and dedication.
* Be part of a Better Business (B-Corp), making a positive impact on profit, people, and planet.
* Join an award-winning startup backed by the largest food and beverage company globally.
* Experience a workplace that feels like home, complete with free meals and gym onsite.
* Prioritise your well-being with perks like Vitality health insurance, access to learning resources, mental health support, a generous holiday package (30 days + bank holidays).
* Enjoy a 50% discount on all Mindful Chef products.
* Enhanced policy of 6 months full pay primary parental leave and 6 weeks full pay secondary parental leave.
The process
#J-18808-Ljbffr