Mindful Chef is seeking a seasoned expert in Protein, Produce & Grocery to join our Commercial Team as a Senior Technical Manager. This role is pivotal in developing and maintaining the quality and range of our products. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of industry experience, preferably across all three disciplines, and will be a key influencer regarding industry issues and supply chain management.

• Supplier Management: Manage all technical aspects with suppliers, including due diligence, quality, specifications, QAS, factory trials, and launches, establish relevant performance KPI’s to drive improved standards YoY.

• Relationship Building: Develop strong relationships and lines of communication with suppliers  base's technical team and management to ensure focus on the Mindful Chef business is prioritised and rapid responsiveness to issues delivered.

• Quality, Safety, and Legality: Oversee quality, safety, and legality from source to final customer, ensuring compliance with Mindful Chef and industry standards.

• Expertise: Serve as the go-to expert for technical and industry matters related to Meat, Fish, Poultry, and other proteins.

• Performance Management: Record and report on supplier performance, focusing on quality and technical aspects.

• Team Management: Support and develop the technical Team, to ensure that strategic goals and objectives are shared, understood and achieved.   

• Collaborative Working: work closely with key stakeholders within the commercial and supply chain teams to ensure a joined up approach, with consistent messaging is applied to supplier management.

• Compliance: Ensure suppliers meet or exceed Mindful Chef brand standards and relevant industry standards.

• Supplier Audits: Completion of announced and unannounced supplier audits

• Systems Management: Manage and maintain supplier approval, start-up, and data systems, including specification and supplier management systems.

• Factory Standards: Monitor and ensure factory standards align with Mindful Chef standards.

• Brand Enhancement: Identify and uphold production standards that enhance the Mindful Chef brand, including provenance and environmental standards.

• Complaint Management: Analyse complaints data to drive quality improvement and follow up on serious customer issues.

• Packaging Review: Ensure packaging is innovative, fit for purpose, widely recycled, and showcases the product effectively.

• Quality Review: Implement a quality review and benchmarking process throughout the year.

• New Product Launches: Collaborate with commercial managers and development teams to launch new products, ensuring all technical deadlines are met.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Technical Manager, including relevant product areas (Meat, Fish, Poultry, Produce, Ambient, Chilled Manufactured Products, Packaged Dry Goods, Herbs, Spices, and Canned Goods).

• Lead Auditor qualification

• Advanced (Level 4) HACCP

• Advanced food safety

• Extensive knowledge of BRC Food & Storage and distribution standards, ISO, GFSI SEDEX and LEAF Standards.

• Extensive experience in retail product and supplier management.

• Strong food science background with knowledge of microbiological and chemical aspects of food safety and product quality.

• Fully conversant with food legal and safety legislation.

• Familiarity with a wide range of food packaging formats and materials in the industry.

• Deep industry knowledge, strong networks, and awareness of industry issues.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team.

• Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills

• Full driving licence

Key Competencies:

• Leadership: Ability to inspire and lead the technical team to achieve high performance and meet organisational goals.

• Technical Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of technical concepts, trends, and best practices, with hands-on experience in relevant technologies.

• Strategic Thinking: Capability to develop and implement technical strategies aligned with business objectives.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to convey complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring successful delivery on time and within budget.

• A competitive package that rewards your skills and dedication.
• Be part of a Better Business (B-Corp), making a positive impact on profit, people, and planet.
• Join an award-winning startup backed by the largest food and beverage company globally.
• Experience a workplace that feels like home, complete with free meals and gym onsite. 
• Prioritise your well-being with perks like Vitality health insurance, access to learning resources, mental health support, a generous holiday package (30 days + bank holidays).
• Enjoy a 50% discount on all Mindful Chef products.
• Enhanced policy of 6 months full pay primary parental leave and 6 weeks full pay secondary parental leave.