Group Head of Technical - Seafood

The Role: :

As the Head of Technical for our Seafood cluster, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of food safety, legality, and quality priorities within our Seafood operational 'cluster’. This role requires acting as a vital link between Operations, Technical Director, and the broader Technical/NPD department to enhance Technical expertise and deliver the Seafood cluster’s food safety goals. The Head of Technical Seafood role is the key Technical contact with our customers and relevant industry authorities.
Our Company :

Sofina Foods is more than just a food company. It’s a place where you can grow your career, learn new skills, and make a positive impact on the world.

With a wide range of meat and seafood products that delight consumers worldwide, Sofina Foods is always looking for talented and passionate people to join its team of over 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe, including Young’s Seafood and Karro Food Group.

At Sofina Foods, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. You will also have the opportunity to work with diverse and delicious products that are sourced responsibly and sustainably from over 50 different protein sources from 5 continents.

Sofina Foods has a 25 year history of excellence in the food industry and provides over 500 million meals for the global market every year.

Our vision is to be the most successful food company in the world.

If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the food sector, Sofina Foods is the place for you.

#YoungsSeafood

Duties Include :

• Lead the Cluster with diligence, independent judgment, and a values-led approach.
• Leadership and development of the Technical team across the Seafood estate.
• Working with the Seafood Leadership team, lead the development and delivery of the Food Safety & Quality culture across the Seafood estate.
• Lead delivery of strong customer and certification audit performance across the Seafood estate.
• Utilise and develop appropriate KPI’s to monitor, maintain and drive continuous improvement, exceed and challenge departmental objectives and service quality standards, ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures in all sectors.
• Ensure transparent and strategic alignment with of Customer expectations and requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on all Food Safety, quality, and Technical matters related to the Cluster. Coordination of Cluster Technical teams for local delivery of organisational goals.
• Apply financial rigor to Technical activities for value optimisation.
• Align systems and processes across the cluster, collaborating with other Cluster Leads for consist approach.
• Key Challenges:
• Ensure continual improvement in food safety, legality, and quality across sites.
• Provide advice and guidance on Technical issues to promote compliance and best practices.
• Conduct supplier approval audits and drive a culture of compliance through internal audit programs.
• Maintain strong relationships with Key customers and industry contacts.
• The role will involve travel across the UK and EU according to business needs.
• Skills and Experience Required :
• Graduate calibre with Level 4 Food Hygiene and Advanced HACCP qualifications.
• 5+ years of Senior Technical leadership experience in FMCG, audit standards, and audit preparedness.
• Ideally experienced in Seafood processing but we would be open to experience of food manufacturing in Chilled and frozen environments, particularly with coated products.
• Experience of working at senior level with UK Major retailers in the supply of own label and / or branded products.
• Knowledge of Food safety legislation appropriate to food manufacturing, packing and exporting products.
• Confident in presentation, communication, and negotiation to executive level.
• Experience of managing a multi-site / multi country organisational structure.
• Experience in leading retailer and 3rd party certification audits.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

The Benefits :

• Competitive Salary
• Company Bonus Scheme
• Car Allowance
• Competitive Contributory Pension
• Online Benefits Hub
• Healthcare
• Life assurance scheme
• Free onsite parking