Technical Manager

Please note this is an OD vacancy and only impacted colleagues who are at risk or placed in a pool will be considered for this role. If you are at risk or in a pool, you will be asked to confirm this in the application process. 

Applications from candidates who are not at risk or in a pool will be declined at this stage. The role may be re-advertised in future as a standard vacancy open to all internal candidates. 

Role title:  Technical Manager

Function: Retail Support Centre - Commercial

Number of reports: 1 - 3

Work level: WL5

Role Summary

Responsible for managing the safety, legality and quality of our Co op Own Brand Product Range and leading and developing other technical colleagues to do the same.

This role is a critical for ensuring food safety & quality standards are met and prioritised in line with delivering our Co-op Own Brand Strategy to become the most trusted & biggest brand in the convenience market. This role is accountable for ensuring all products & processes are food safe and that suppliers are technically audited in compliance with our technical policies for all Co-op brand products sold across Co-op stores & B2B Channels (we will agree where responsibility hands over to B2B on a channel basis) This role is also accountable for ensuring a developmental culture is created across the team so that technologists, assistant technologists, apprentices and undergrads can be coached and developed to be the future pipeline of technical excellence This role will cross functionally support new product development and work closely with the team to ensure we achieve iconic market leading launches. This role will stay close to legislation and policy updates, staying current with legislation & Co-op policies. This role will develop strong supplier relationships and ensure suppliers understand and meet all Co-op requirements. Key metrics: Food Safety, Quality Perception, Customer Satisfaction, Customer Complaints, Reduction in Product Withdrawals, Market Leading NPD Launches

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure all products & processes are food safe 
• Ensure Co-op is compliant to all category relevant regulations 
• Lead the vision for safe, sustainable & resilient food systems 
• Manage supplier relationships 
•  Support New Product Development 
•  Manage Risk 

•  Reject product if agreed standards are not met

Knowledge, Skills, Experience

• Food Safety Qualification, HACCP/ GMP/ Hygiene 
• Or BSc in Food Science or related subject 
• Microbiology and Nutrition – demonstrate understanding 
•  Experience in food manufacturing or food retail 
• Able to travel across country(ies) to visit supply base 
• Excellent communication & attention to detail 
• Can demonstrate understanding of our food safety policies & quality standards & can challenge when these standards are not met 
•  Ability to network and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Strong data & IT skills