Technical Manager

Job Description: Innovation Manager – Pots & Co Ltd

About Us

Pots & Co is a fast-growing premium chilled desserts company on a mission to shake up the UK desserts aisle with indulgent, high-quality creations. As an SME with big ambitions, we pride ourselves on craft, creativity, and delivering desserts that feel special every time.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Technical Manager who will lead all aspects of food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance across Pots & Co's UK and international operations. This is a critical leadership role ensuring that every product meets the company's exacting standards for safety, legality, quality, and authenticity.

The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise with a practical understanding of manufacturing, supply chains, and retailer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Food Safety & Quality Management

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of Pots & Co's Food Safety Management System.
• Ensure full compliance with UK, EU, and international food legislation, customer codes of practice, and certification requirements (including BRCGS Global Standards).
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks to food safety at every stage of the process — from ingredient sourcing through to finished goods.
• Conduct regular HACCP reviews, site audits, and supplier assessments to ensure food safety controls are robust and up to date.
• Manage allergen control and segregation systems to prevent cross-contamination, supported by staff training and verification processes.
• Define and enforce hygiene and sanitation standards, working closely with production teams to maintain best-in-class factory conditions.
• Investigate and resolve any food safety or quality incidents, implementing root cause analysis and continuous improvement actions

Manufacturing & Supply Chain Interface

• Work closely with Operations to ensure technical standards are embedded throughout production, storage, and distribution.
• Oversee validation and verification of critical manufacturing processes (e.g. cooking, cooling, filling, sealing).
• Support new product development (NPD) with technical guidance — ensuring safe, compliant, and scalable formulations.
• Lead technical due diligence and onboarding for co-manufacturers and ingredient suppliers, ensuring alignment with Pots & Co's Standards of Ingredients (SOI).

Regulatory & Labelling Compliance

• Ensure all product labelling meets relevant legal and customer requirements, including ingredient declarations, allergens, nutritional information, and country-of-origin statements.
• Keep up to date with global regulatory developments affecting Pots & Co's export markets, ensuring compliance in all territories.
• Liaise with external bodies (e.g. Trading Standards, EHO, certification bodies) during audits, inspections, and investigations.

Skills & Experience

• Degree in food science/ food technology or other related science discipline.
• Proven managerial experience of working within a product development team with food/ beverage environment.
• Proven track record in food innovation, ideally in chilled desserts or premium FMCG.
• Strong understanding of consumer trends, flavour profiles, and packaging formats.
• Project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple launches.
• Creative thinker with commercial acumen.
• Collaborative, hands-on, and comfortable in an entrepreneurial SME environment.

Global Standards & Cross-Border Management

• Maintain BRCGS certification and readiness across all manufacturing and co-packing sites globally.
• Ensure consistency of technical standards across UK and international operations, supporting business growth in new regions.
• Manage cross-border supplier and product compliance documentation, including specifications, certifications, and traceability records.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to shape the future of a growing premium brand.
• A creative, fast-paced environment where ideas quickly turn into reality.
• Competitive package and scope for career growth.