Head of Technical

Job Title: Head of Technical
Location: Dublin
Salary: Up to €100,000, depending on experience
Reports to: Managing Director

Description

We are hiring for our client, a growing, quality-driven food producer, who are seeking an experienced Head of Technical to lead their technical, food safety, and quality agenda.

The Head of Technical will take full ownership of the technical function, with a key focus on achieving BRC accreditation in 2026 and embedding best-in-class standards across the site. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a hands-on, strategic Head of Technical who can build and develop a high-performing team, shape technical strategy, and act as the primary authority on all technical, quality, and compliance matters.

Top 3 Things to Know About this Job

1. Strategic leadership role – Own and drive the full technical, quality, and food safety agenda for the site.

2. BRC accreditation focus – Lead the journey to BRC certification and continuous improvement beyond.

3. Build your own team – Opportunity to establish and develop a dedicated Technical department in a growing business.

The Role

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute the company’s technical and food safety strategy in line with overall business goals.

• Lead the planning, implementation, and maintenance of BRC Global Food Safety Standard to achieve certification next year.

• Act as the primary authority on technical, quality, and compliance matters across the site.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Oversee all food safety, quality assurance, and technical compliance systems.

• Ensure full compliance with regulatory, legislative, and customer requirements.

• Maintain and strengthen HACCP, GMP, allergen management, traceability, and hygiene systems.

• Lead internal and external audits; manage corrective actions and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Team Building & Management

• Build out a new Technical department within the first 12 months, including hiring, developing, and mentoring team members.

• Provide strong leadership and coaching to ensure a motivated, capable, and accountable technical function.

Supplier & Customer Engagement

• Manage technical relationships with suppliers and customers, including specifications, complaints, and approvals.

• Oversee artwork, labelling, and specification accuracy to ensure legal and customer compliance.

Operational Support

• Work closely with Production, NPD, Procurement, and senior leadership to embed technical standards across the site.

• Support product development from concept to launch, ensuring robust technical documentation and sign-off.

The Person

• Extensive experience in a senior Technical or Quality leadership role within the food manufacturing industry.

• Proven, hands-on experience leading BRC accreditation processes, ideally taking a site through to certification.

• Strong knowledge of EU food legislation, retailer codes of practice, and customer technical expectations.

• Degree in Food Science or related discipline (preferred).

• Strong leadership and people development skills, with experience building and growing teams.

• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management ability.

• Detail-focused with the ability to think strategically and operate at pace in a growing business.

• Proactive, decisive, and comfortable taking ownership of site-wide technical performance.

The Reward

• Competitive salary up to €100,000, depending on experience.

• Senior leadership role with significant influence and visibility.

• Autonomy to shape the Technical function and technical strategy for the site.

• Opportunity to lead the BRC accreditation journey and set best-in-class standards.

• Growing, quality-focused environment with genuine long-term potential.