Technical Assurance Director

Description

We are hiring for our client for a strategic and highly influential Technical Assurance Director to lead supply chain assurance, supplier compliance, product specifications and technical governance across a complex food manufacturing business.

The Technical Assurance Director will provide senior leadership across supply assurance and specifications teams, ensuring food safety, quality, integrity and regulatory compliance risks are effectively identified, managed and mitigated throughout the supply chain.

This Technical Assurance Director role offers a unique opportunity to shape technical strategy, influence executive decision-making and lead a large multi-functional team responsible for supplier assurance, risk management, specifications and governance across the UK and Ireland.

Top 3 Things to Know About this Job

1. Executive-level leadership role with significant strategic influence
2. Lead teams across Supply Assurance and Product Specifications
3. Opportunity to shape technical governance and supply chain risk strategy across a major food manufacturing business

The Role

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Technical Assurance and Supply Chain Risk strategy aligned to business objectives.
• Lead and develop high-performing Supply Assurance and Product Specifications teams.
• Drive supplier approval, audit and risk management programmes across food and non-food categories.
• Ensure robust supplier compliance with customer, legal, food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Establish horizon-scanning processes to proactively identify emerging supply chain risks.
• Develop risk-based supplier auditing programmes focused on risk mitigation and value creation.
• Drive continuous improvement across supplier assurance, specifications and compliance systems.
• Oversee product specification processes to ensure right-first-time delivery and compliance.
• Implement innovative and automated solutions to improve efficiency and data accuracy.
• Establish governance frameworks, KPIs and executive-level reporting structures.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and industry stakeholders.
• Manage departmental budgets, resources and strategic initiatives.
• Lead technical assurance activities across multiple manufacturing categories and supply chains.

The Person

• Degree qualified in Food Science, Food Technology or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 5 years experience in a senior technical leadership role within food manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of HACCP, food safety, quality management systems and supply chain risk.
• Experience leading large technical, quality or compliance teams.
• Extensive supplier assurance, auditing and compliance experience.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS standards and customer codes of practice.
• Understanding of VACCP, TACCP and food integrity requirements.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic change programmes.
• Strong commercial awareness and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication and influencing capabilities.
• Willingness to travel to manufacturing sites and suppliers across the UK and Ireland.

The Reward

• Executive-level salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to shape the future technical strategy of a major food manufacturing organisation.
• Significant leadership responsibility and visibility.
• Opportunity to lead transformational projects across supply chain assurance and governance.
• Long-term career progression opportunities.
• Collaborative and forward-thinking business culture.