Technical Director
- Employer
- Michael Page Sales
- Location
- England, Cambridgeshire
- Salary
- Competitive
- Closing date
- 25 Feb 2025
View more categoriesView less categories
- Business Sector
- Non Food & Drink
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
- Function
- Other Job Function
Job Details
- Technical Director role for leading fresh produce business in Cambridgeshire
- International scope liaising with supermarkets and growers
Client Details
My Client are a leading UK-based Consumer business based in Cambridgeshire specialising in the supply of fresh produce, primarily serving major retailers. Renowned for their strong partnerships with growers worldwide, they ensure a consistent and high-quality supply chain from farm to store. The company is deeply committed to sustainability, innovation, and ethical sourcing, implementing advanced techniques in cultivation, packaging, and logistics to reduce environmental impact. With state-of-the-art facilities and a focus on customer satisfaction, they are recognised as a key player in the fresh produce industry, delivering exceptional products that align with market trends and consumer preferences.
Description
1. Technical Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and execute the technical roadmap aligned with business goals and market trends.
- Champion sustainability practices across operations, aligning with ethical and environmental standards.
- Drive innovation in growing, packaging, and post-harvest processes.
2. Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Oversee quality control processes to ensure consistent product quality.
- Ensure compliance with local and international standards, including certifications.
- Lead audits and inspections, ensuring readiness for customer and third-party reviews.
3. Supply Chain & Supplier Management
- Manage relationships with growers, farms, and suppliers to ensure a reliable and high-quality supply chain.
- Monitor supplier performance, ensuring alignment with quality, ethical, and sustainability standards.
- Negotiate contracts with growers and vendors to optimise costs and secure supply.
Technical Director Fresh Produce
4. Research & Development
- Lead the development of new fresh produce varieties and packaging solutions to meet market demands.
- Collaborate with agronomists and growers to improve yields, pest resistance, and product longevity.
- Stay abreast of technological advancements and implement relevant innovations in production and supply.
5. Team Management
- Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary technical team, fostering a high-performance culture.
- Set clear KPIs and performance targets, driving accountability across the department.
- Build technical capability through training and development initiatives.
6. Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with commercial teams to understand customer requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
- Build relationships with key clients, retailers, and distributors, addressing any technical inquiries.
- Represent the company at industry events and forums to maintain a strong technical presence.
Profile
- Proven experience as a Technical Director, Technical Manager, or similar leadership role in FMCG, fresh produce, food production or horticulture.
- Expertise in quality assurance frameworks, industry certifications, and sustainability standards.
- Demonstrated success in managing supplier relationships and negotiating contracts.
- Experience leading R&D initiatives and introducing innovative practices.
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
- Familiarity with export markets, including logistics and compliance requirements.
- Be commutable or prepared to relocate to the HQ in Cambridgeshire.
Job Offer
Six figure basic
Performance bonus
Car Package
Company
Michael Page Sales UK is a leading professional recruitment consultancy covering permanent, interim and contract recruitment. We have UK wide coverage with ten offices located in London, Weybridge, Reading, Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester, St Albans, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow. The core markets we serve are Consumer, Business Services, Media, IT/Telco, Financial Services, Healthcare and Technical Sales, with a dedicated person or team in each location specialising in each of these sectors. The clients we work with are as diverse as the candidates we represent; from Blue Chips to SMEs, and Sales Execs to Sales Directors. Our Consultants are typically from relevant sales backgrounds giving first hand experience of the roles we recruit for. We pride ourselves on delivering unrivalled service levels to our candidates and our clients, our track record of success over the past 20 years means we stand out.
Within our Consumer Sales Division we have consultants within each of the 10 offices who dedicate themselves to this sector and no other. Our specialist capability is demonstrated further as we focus on sub sectors such as food, drink, household, foodservice, consumer electronics, apparel, health & beauty, consumer healthcare, pet and sports. Some of our key clients include Colgate, Beiersdorf, Dr Oetker, Johnson & Johnson, Matthew Clark, PZ Cussons, Kellogg’s, 2 Sisters, Samsung, Seven Seas, Twinings, Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser, SC Johnson, Warburtons, InBev, Kettle Chips, Hallmark, Luxottica, McCain, Britvic, General Mills, and Molson Coors to name but a few!
Michael Page Sales UK is part of Michael Page International with operations in the UK, Continental Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. As well as looking for high quality candidates for our clients, we are also always looking for top talent to work for us
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