Details:
- Salary: £52,000 - 62,000 - Annum
- Job Type: Permanent
- Job Status: Full-Time
- Salary Per: Annum
- Location: Hampshire
- Date: 1 day ago
Description:
Supplier Technical Manager
Reporting to: Head of Technical
Location: Hampshire (site-based with travel to suppliers)
Direct Reports: Technical team members
Job Purpose
Ensure suppliers consistently meet food safety, quality, legality and ethical standards, acting as the key technical link between growers, suppliers, production and customers.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage supplier due diligence, audits and risk assessments across UK and European supply chains.
* Oversee crop performance, pest and disease issues, and drive corrective actions with suppliers.
* Manage testing programmes (microbiological and pesticide residues) and investigate non-conformances.
* Act as technical lead for supplier onboarding, compliance documentation and pesticide approvals.
* Monitor supplier performance through KPIs, audits and seasonal reviews, producing weekly reports.
* Manage ethical compliance and investigations using audit frameworks (SEDEX, SMETA, GRASP).
* Collaborate with procurement, agronomy, farms and technical teams to improve quality and supply performance.
* Ensure compliance with legislation, retailer standards and codes of practice, including Scope 3 requirements.
* Support factory operations, supplier meetings and customer technical visits where required.
Person Specification
* Experience in supplier assurance, auditing and compliance within fresh produce or agri-food supply chains.
* Strong knowledge of BRCGS, GlobalG.A.P., Red Tractor, LEAF and ethical compliance systems.
* HACCP Level 3 qualified with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
* Commercially aware, proactive and experienced in driving supplier performance improvements.
* Degree in Food Science, Agriculture or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
* 3–5+ years’ experience in technical or supplier-facing agri-food roles.
* Strong IT skills; experience with supply chain systems essential.
* BASIS/FACTS qualifications and Spanish/Italian language skills desirable.
Personal Attributes
Highly organised, detail-focused and proactive with strong problem-solving ability and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment