Group Technical Manager (Interim)

apetito Limited is a successful business where turnover has doubled in the last 5 years, driven by excellent customer service, successful production systems and a focus on product innovation.  There is now an aim to grow the business from a current turnover position of £80 million to £110 million in the next three years.  As the business grows, technical needs will increase and there will be greater demands from outside authorities.  Our high calibre Group Technical Manager will lead apetito to the cutting edge of food technology.

Strong leadership is a key facet to this role. Managing a team of five direct reports, the role will unite the variant disciplines within the Technical function. The Group Technical Manager will need to be an exceptional communicator to encourage team work and sell their strategy for significant improvement. Personal confidence, resilience and proven experience of managing through change are essential for the role.

A second major element encompasses a technical ability to drive through substantial system and process improvement. The pie site factory will be increasing production from £8m to £12m in 2008 requiring support from enhanced technical processes, and the hygiene function will benefit from a best value approach and an increase in standards.

Additional internal areas of focus to add to the challenge of the post will include an upgrade of food safety systems in the apetito meals on wheels division and developed traceability within the distribution department.

There is also a supplier management focus to the role. With 130 separate suppliers providing over 800 raw materials, a key challenge is the in-depth technical expertise required in fish, meat, vegetables and dry ingredients.

As well as upholding current standards the role will look to future trends in the food production environment such as allergen and dietary health regulation. The Group Technical Manager will take a passionate, proactive approach to meeting future requirements, supporting apetito to be an innovative leader in the field of food production.

Finally the role will encourage and embed a quality culture within the department. The Group Technical Manager will transform the concept of quality from simply compliance to a proactive mechanism for improving customer experience in a system of continuous improvement.

The Group Technical Manager will report to the Manufacturing Director and will be part of the Manufacturing senior team.  The role also forms part of the Senior Management team of apetito UK as a whole. 

For further information, please contact Sarah Fry on 01225 753636

or emailsarah.fry@apetito.co.uk

Alternatively, click on the 'apply for this position' link below