Technical Manager

Reports To: Managing Director

Contract: Permanent, Full-time, Subject to 3-month probation

Working hours: 42.5 hours per week, 08:30 - 1800 Monday - Friday

Company

Korea Foods Company is the leader in the supply of Korean food in the UK. A family-run business, established in 1999, Korea Foods Company has approximately 500 employees working within its Head Office, Logistics Centres, and Retail Stores.

We import from key brands in Korea, and distribute to the Asian community, focusing on East Asian consumers. We have also seen substantial growth within the supermarket multiples, securing significant listings with Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, and Costco.

We also operate our own retail store network, Seoul Plaza, currently with 19 stores within the estate, with more opening in 2025.

Growth has been consistently double-digit, with a sales turnover in excess of £85 million.

The company is an incredibly dynamic and fast-paced place to work, with ambiguity and transparency that is often associated with family-run businesses. It is, also, whilst not for the faint-hearted, a rewarding workplace where personal achievements are recognised due to the relatively flat management structure.

Main Purpose and Scope of the Job

We are looking for someone who is a great communicator and is ready for a big challenge. As part of our Food Technical department, you will be developing the department and overseeing all aspects of food safety within the business. You will also be required to be an integral part of an inter-departmental H&S committee.

Areas covered will be our logistics department, retail stores, and production. The Technical Manager will be expected to work with internal stakeholders from each department, to develop training, processes, and conduct continuous assessments. Thereafter, the Technical Manager will be required to develop systems to maintain records and ensure continuous improvement.

Additionally, the Technical Manager would be required to manage the longer-term aim of becoming a BRC accredited site for storage and distribution.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and review HACCP systems, and conduct supplier and product risk assessments,

• Audit existing food safety and quality systems across retail, production (catering and meat products lines) and logistics to identify areas for improvement.

• Develop and implement new procedures based on customer codes of practice and legislation requirements to enhance food safety and quality; and contribute towards H&S policy within these departments.

• Oversee internal and customer specification systems, complete retail customer technical documentation to ensure compliance with UK legislation and customer codes of practice.

• Manage internal audits within logistics function, production units and warehouse units.

• Ensure compliance with import and food labelling regulations for imported food from non-EU countries, oversee product safety for imports across various product categories.

• Liaise with external bodies such as the FSA, local authorities and customers to achieve relevant accreditations and maintain high standards.

• Coordinate with external testing laboratories for product testing and environmental swabbing to ensure product safety.

• Investigate customer complaints, conduct root cause analysis, and provide comprehensive responses to inspection to all stakeholders: senior management team, local authorities and customers.

• Collaborate with all departments including HR to develop and maintain training programs on food safety and quality,

• Advise and coach all departments on food safety and hygiene matters and best practices,

• Collaborate with the commercial department to ensure that compliance with all customer codes of practice remains continuously abiding without any lapses.

• Provide ad hoc support related to food safety in line with the company’s strategy and objectives.

• Take on additional responsibilities related to food safety and controls as required by the company.

Person Specification

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Adaptable, has the ability to prioritise demands and deliver to short deadlines.
• Excellent stakeholder management, with a good understanding of commercial requirements.
• Highly IT literate, high level of excel is beneficial.
• Hands-on and can-do approach.
• Food science/technical/food safety qualifications essential.
• Chinese or Korean language skills (advantageous but not essential).

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £46,000.00-£55,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

• Yearly bonus

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company car
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Education:

• Bachelor’s (required)

Work Location: In person