Technical Manager - Food

About the role

Role: Technical Manager – Food

Location: Wellingborough or Watford

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Quality Assurance department for a Technical Manager in Own Brand Food, looking after ranges including our Fresh and Frozen Produce areas. Reporting to one of our Technical Controllers, you will be part of a small team of experienced Technical Managers.

This role has four key aspects: to manage and maintain the quality, safety and legality of our own brand food products; to provide strong technical support in the development of new products; to develop and maintain strong relationships with our own brand suppliers and to manage all technical, product policies and standards with these suppliers.

We are looking for an experienced technical manager in food, ideally with some fresh or frozen produce background. The ideal candidate will have strong supplier management skills and be able to demonstrate a focused, attention to detail approach to their work.

The location of this role is flexible to be based at either our Wellingborough or Watford Support Centres.

This role will give you the opportunity to work closely with your Suppliers, both in the UK and abroad. To enable you to carry this part of your role effectively, we are offering a car allowance as part of the renumeration package. We are currently working at least three days in the office with some flexibility to work from home. More details can be discussed at interview.

Role Responsibility

You will be responsible for a range of food products, managing the technical aspects of product development, specifications, packaging/labelling and product launches that deliver on innovation and quality.

You will also manage the technical relationship with our suppliers, ensuring they comply with our technical policies, maintain the safety and quality of our products and deal with any issues that may arise in those areas. This will involve visits to the sites manufacturing the product range, both in the UK and abroad.

You will also be responsible for working with suppliers to meet sustainability commitments and innovative packaging plans. Working as part of a close-knit team you will be required to complete relevant technical documentation to ensure key launch milestones are met, as well as completing and maintaining all the required due diligence activities and records for our food own brand suppliers and products, in support of our policies and procedures.

You will need

Excellent communication and analytical skills

An eye for detail and desire to ensure exacting product and operational standards are maintained

Comfortable to communicate and influence at all business levels across both internal and external stakeholders

A keen interest in current and emerging food legislation and policy initiatives

The ability to work without close supervision and prioritise your workload

To be solutions driven and have the ability to adapt to changing demands in a fast-paced environment.

Good IT skills across a range of Microsoft packages

Ideally experience of specification portals (although training will be provided)

UK driving licence is essential, with access to your own car (Car Allowance provided)

Whats in it for you

At Booker, along with being a great place to work and giving you an opportunity to get on in your career, we also offer the following fantastic package of benefits:

• A Booker colleague card with 10% off purchases at Booker and double discount events up to three times a year.
• After 3 months service, a Tesco colleague discount card with 10% increasing to 15% off most purchases at Tesco for a 4 day period after every four-weekly pay day, ie. thirteen times a year. In addition to 10% off at Tesco Cafe and 20% off all F&F purchases.
• 10% off pay monthly & SIM only deals with Tesco Mobile for yourself, along with further great deals through-out the year.
• Up to 30% off car, pet and home insurance at Tesco bank. Terms and conditions apply.
• Free eye test when you spend £50 or more. You can also save 30% when you spend £50 or more on glasses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses.
• 50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.
• Exclusive access to discounted RAC breakdown cover rates
• An exclusive deals and discounts website saving you money on everyday purchases including a cycle to work scheme.
• After 3 months service, you can join our annual Save As You Earn share scheme which allows you to buy Tesco shares in the future at a discount.
• Retirement savings plan (pension) - save up to 5% and Booker will match your contribution.
• Life Assurance - You are covered for death in service life cover of up to three times annual pay
• Health and Wellbeing support and resources including our 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
• A great holiday package

About The Company

Be part of something special. Join our team at Booker.

Booker is the UK’s leading food & drink wholesaler. We are privileged to serve independent retailers, caterers and small businesses, from locations across the country.

Booker Group comprises of Booker Wholesale, Makro, Booker Direct, Classic Drinks, Ritter Courivaud and Chef Direct. Our customers include Premier, Family Shopper, Budgens and Londis retailers and we have one shared aim - improving choice, price and service for all our customers.

Our business is incredibly diverse, so it takes a wide range of skills to deliver the exceptional service our customers require.

Wherever you join us, you’ll be part of an organisation that will help your career to keep moving forward.

*Booker Group is part of Tesco plc, however is operated separately from the core Tesco business and as such the benefits offered will be different from those offered at Tesco*