Technical Director - Lichfield, Staffordshire

About Agrial Fresh Produce

Since 1999 we have been trading in the UK & Ireland and working hard to gain success and are now one of the UK's leading producers and distributors of pre-packed ready to eat salads and vegetables. Through acquisitions we have grown to 5 UK sites and have recently renamed as Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd. We are the UK manufacturer of the Florette brand and supply own label, food service and business to business with a range of salad and vegetable products.

We are looking for a Technical Director to join the Board of Directors. The main purpose of the role is to ensure the delivery of Technical strategy through the leadership and management of the Technical departments.

Main Responsibilities:

• To ensure the technical and quality assurance systems on sites operate effectively and with synergies.

• Support all Site Technical Managers to achieve key targets successfully, ensuring quality standards maintained.

• Ensure that KPI's have been put into place within the technical departments.

• Manage and resolve serious quality and food safety issues with the appropriate departments, customers and authorities.

• Oversee the company's food security systems and undertake periodic audits.

• Ultimate responsibility for Technical visits and audits, via development of the Technical and QA Managers to ensure they take the lead roles in customer/third party visits and audits.

• Play the lead role in working with customer technical departments and other external authorities as required.

• Play lead role in visiting key customers and building strong relationships with key customer technical personnel.

• Work closely with the commercial department to ensure new business opportunities are fully exploited ensuring that new customer technical requirements are met.

• Play a lead role in major customer visits, performing presentations where required relating to aspects of the company and the technical process.

• Ensure that the Company is fully up-to-date on all legal matters relating to food and the company's products.

• Devise technical strategies to underpin ongoing customer and legal requirements, reviewing as appropriate.

• Undertake research initiatives to keep the Company at the forefront of the produce industry regarding technical ability.

You will ideally have:

• Food manufacturing background in chilled foods

• Technical management experience, including BRC and auditing

• Degree or equivalent in food science

• HACCP / Food Safety qualifications

• Good interpersonal, leadership and communication skills

We are looking for someone who is:

• A team player that supports the sharing of information and values the opinions of others.

• Tenacious approach to data accuracy with good analytical skills

• A driver of change and constantly seeks opportunities for improvement

• Exceptional influencing and communication skills being able to build relationships with a range of stakeholders

• Able to take clear decisions quickly and under pressure

Next Steps

If you are looking for an exciting opportunity to join the Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd Board of Directors and you have the skills required, then please apply by submitting your CV.