Job Description
Join Genius Foods as Head of Technical: Lead Food Safety & Quality Excellence across our Sites!
Are you a food safety and quality champion with a passion for driving best practices in food manufacturing? Do you thrive in a leadership role where you can shape technical strategy, ensure compliance, and influence the broader business agenda? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
About the Role
Based from our main production site in Bathgate, as Head of Technical, you will lead the Technical function across all Genius sites, ensuring a collaborative approach to food safety, compliance, and quality. Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, you will be a key part of the leadership team, acting as a trusted advisor on all food safety and technical compliance matters.
Your role will be critical in embedding food safety and quality standards into the DNA of the business, ensuring they are integral to every team and individual. You’ll drive Technical as a value-adding function, ensuring that best-in-class food safety and quality practices enhance operational efficiency, product consistency, and customer confidence. Additionally, you will lead continuous improvement initiatives, drive innovation, and champion sustainability practices within the manufacturing processes.
Key Responsibilities:
* Develop and implement a Food Safety & Quality strategy that integrates these standards into the core of the business.
* Ensure compliance with BRCGS standards, food safety legislation, and customer accreditations.
* Foster a culture where food safety and quality standards are the DNA of all teams and individuals across the business.
* Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance manufacturing processes, reduce waste, and improve product consistency.
* Act as a professional and trusted advisor to the leadership team on all food safety and technical compliance matters.
* Oversee budgetary control and cost management within the Technical function.
* Manage risk mitigation related to food safety, quality, and compliance, ensuring timely responses to any incidents or non-conformities.
* Drive sustainability initiatives in line with corporate goals, focusing on reducing environmental impact, waste, and energy usage.
* Build strong relationships with regulators, certification bodies, and retail partners, ensuring the business meets all necessary audits and inspections.
What We’re Looking For:
* Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
* HACCP Level 3, Auditor/Lead Auditor qualification, and Food Hygiene/Food Safety Level 3 (minimum).
* Significant experience in a senior technical role within FMCG.
* In-depth knowledge of food safety legislation, quality standards, and UK retailer expectations.
* Proven leadership skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
* Experience in driving innovation, managing crises, and implementing sustainability initiatives.
* Strong experience in budget management and cost control
🍞 Bonus: Experience in bakery or free-from manufacturing would be the icing on the cake!
About Us
Pioneering Gluten Free bakers since 2009, at Genius Foods we create delicious gluten free baking for everyone to enjoy without compromise. We’re passionate about quality, taste and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the food industry as expert gluten free bakers for over 15 years. Well known for our expansive range from soft Tiger Bloomers to flippin’ fantastic pancakes, we’re committed to deliver more exceptional gluten free bakery choices for our customers in the UK.
What we offer
· Salary based on experience
· Bonus – Non-contractual annual bonus opportunity
· Pension – 4% employers contribution based on employee contributing 4%
· Annual Leave: 33 days per year (incl Bank Holidays)
· Life Assurance: 4 times base salary
· Perks at work: Opportunity to save money on high street brands
· Employee Assistance Programme – with access to online GP
· Free onsite parking
Why Join Us?
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead and shape our Technical function while embedding food safety and quality as the DNA of the business.
How to apply
Submit your CV and Cover Letter to recruitment@geniusfood.com by Monday 7th April 2025