Head of Technical

The Cake Crew are seeking a Head of Technical to lead the technical and quality function in our bakery site in Bala, North Wales. This is a customer facing role dealing with our customers so experience of working with the major supermarkets is a must. The role is site based and hours of work are Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm with some flexibility to meet the demands of the role. The purpose of the role is to define and implement the sites compliance to quality, food safety and regulatory requirements. Lead the food safety and quality ethos ensuring continuous improvement and compliance with BRCGS, customer and any additional site standards including RSPO, Rain Forest Alliance. The main responsibilities of the role are:

• Lead the technical function for the site ensuring the workload is completed in timely manner, to required standards.
• Ongoing team training and development, completion of annual appraisals and support where required
• To manage and lead all 3rd party audits including the latest BRCGS, all retailers and accreddication schemes including RSPO, UTZ etc
• HACCP team lead including management of the HACCP system and associated documents and with implementation within the factory.
• TACCP/VACCP team lead including management of risk assessments and associated documents
• Implementation and management of the FSQMS system including completion and review of procedures, paperwork and spreadsheets etc
• Overall responsibility for ensuring retailer and 3rd party standards are met and upheld across the site, driving audit ready every day standards in both the factory environment and documentation
• Responsible for all food relevant legal compliance, including changes to legislation/regulations and requirements including the transition out of the EU
• Key contact for all retailer management including face to face interaction, reviews and issues, support in management of retailer systems and updates
• Liasion with departmental heads
• Supplier assurance:
• Support supplier and raw material approval Supplier approval audits/visits.
• Completion of risk assessments;
• Micro, chemical, nutritional, allergenic risk assessments and associated testing schedule
• Traceability & mass balance schedules inc recall & withdrawal
• Internal audit schedule & management
• Other Technical Responsibilities:
• Technical team budget and spend
• KPI Reporting
Person profile: As part of the Senior Leadership Team the HofT has excellent communication, organisation and decision making skills, with the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. As the main point of contact for Technical customer visits and audits the HofT must be able to demonstrate active involvement in the factory and have motivational and coaching approach. Provide contiuous development of the Technical Team. Must be able to maintain the standards required by the Company and customers to meet or exceed expectations. Experience of working to and achieving high standards against the BRCGS standard and retailer relevant standards (Sainsburys, Tesco, Morrisons, ASDA, Lidl, Aldi).

1. Experience within Technical in the food industry essential, ideally within bakery 2. Previous management experience within a technical team 3. Degree level or similar in food science based degree 4. HACCP Level 4 5. Food Safety Level 4 6. TACCP/VACCP Training 7. Allergen Training 8. Auditor Training 9. Experrince of compliance to the latest BRCGS Standard 10. Knowledge of retailer systems and codes of practice 11. Accuracy, attention to detail and numerate approach to provide data on time in the right format. 12. Proactive and finds solutions to problems. 13. Confident, articulate and courteous communicator in all methods of communication 14. Actively works with the team to create a positive team environment. 15. Is highly flexible, competent and adaptable and takes responsibility for own learning. 16. Undertakes tasks with enthusiasm and takes pride in his/her work at all times. Communicates effectively at all levels, considers other's opinions and always treats others with respect. 17. Displays a positive and professional attitude. 18. BRC Lead Audit Trained 19. BRC audit experience 20. Experience working with retailer specification systems 21. Knowledge of JS, Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl codes of practice