Specialists in Food & Drink Manufacturing Recruitment

Location: West Midlands
Overview: We are recruiting an experienced and driven Quality Assurance Manager to join a leading food manufacturing business based in the Midlands. Reporting to the Head of Technical, this role is responsible for leading the Site Quality function and ensuring the highest standards of food safety, legality, quality, authenticity, and compliance across the manufacturing operation. The successful candidate will manage and develop a multidisciplinary QA team across a fast-paced production environment, ensuring compliance with customer standards, BRCGS requirements, HACCP systems, and UK food legislation. This role plays a key part in driving a positive food safety and quality culture throughout the site while supporting continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence. This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate quality professional who thrives in a high-care food manufacturing environment and is committed to developing teams, driving standards, and delivering customer confidence. About you… • Degree qualified in Food Science or a related discipline, with proven experience within a mid to senior-level Technical or QA role. • Previous experience within a fast paced food manufacturing environment, ideally within high care, or high-risk categories. • Strong working knowledge of BRCGS standards, retailer Codes of Practice, HACCP, GMP, and food safety legislation. • Food Safety Level 4, HACCP Level 3, and Internal Auditing qualified. • Experienced in supporting and leading retailer, customer, and third-party audits, including effective corrective action management. • Strong understanding of microbiology, environmental monitoring, allergen management, and quality systems. • Excellent leadership skills with the ability to coach, mentor, and develop high-performing QA teams. • Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to build relationships across all departments. What will you be doing? • Leading and developing the Site QA team to ensure high performance, compliance, and continuous improvement across the factory. • Driving the site food safety and quality culture programme, promoting accountability, GMP standards, and compliance across all departments. • Supporting the maintenance and continuous improvement of site Quality Management Systems, policies, procedures, and HACCP requirements. • Supporting customer, retailer, and third-party audits while driving effective corrective and preventative actions. • Working closely with Technical and Operations teams to investigate non-conformances and implement robust processes. • Monitoring and improving quality KPIs, audit standards, GMP compliance, and customer expectations across the site. So, what can they offer you? An opportunity to join a well established and growing food manufacturing business where food safety, quality, integrity, and continuous improvement are at the centre of everything they do. You’ll be part of a supportive and forward thinking Technical leadership team with the opportunity to influence site standards, strengthen food safety culture, and develop your leadership capability within a dynamic manufacturing environment. This role offers the chance to make a real impact by driving quality excellence, developing people, and supporting the delivery of safe, legal, and high-quality products to customers. We are keen to speak with experienced Quality Assurance Managers, QA Managers, Assistant Technical Managers, Quality Systems Managers, Technical Managers, or Senior QA professionals from the food manufacturing sector who live within Burton-on-Trent, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth, Stafford, Lichfield or surrounding areas. How to Apply If you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting re JO/TNT/2746 or call 0161 399 1575 / 07830 944145 for a confidential discussion. True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website. We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.

Location: West Midlands
Overview: We are recruiting an innovative and commercially focused Culinary Development Manager to join a leading food business based in the West Midlands. Reporting to the Head of Culinary UK, this role is responsible for leading the development and commercialisation of exciting food products that align with customer requirements, market trends, and business growth objectives.This role combines culinary creativity with commercial awareness and product development expertise, ensuring products are developed to the highest standards of quality, scalability, and customer satisfaction. The successful candidate will work closely with customers, suppliers, sales, and cross-functional teams to bring concepts from idea through to launch while supporting innovation and continuous improvement across the business.This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate food professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys building strong customer relationships, driving innovation, and developing commercially successful products.About you…• Previous experience within a Culinary Development, NPD, or Product Development role within food manufacturing or foodservice.• Strong understanding of food trends, market insights and customer-led product development.• Commercially aware with the ability to develop products that balance quality, cost and operational feasibility.• Experience working closely with customers, suppliers and cross functional teams within a fast paced food environment.• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the confidence to present products to customers and stakeholders.• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines and development briefs simultaneously.What will you be doing?• Leading the development and commercialisation of innovative food products from concept through to launch.• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with customers and suppliers through regular communication and collaboration.• Managing customer development projects and responding positively and proactively to customer briefs and requests.• Working cross-functionally with Sales teams to identify and pursue opportunities with new and existing customers.• Developing commercially viable products that support business growth and enhance the company product portfolio.• Researching food trends, market opportunities and competitor activity to identify new development opportunities.• Conducting engaging and customer-focused food presentations and product demonstrations.• Building a thorough understanding of the company product range and evaluating products against competitor offerings.• Writing clear and concise development briefs and managing projects through the full concept to launch process.• Working closely with suppliers in both kitchen and factory environments to develop and improve products.So, what can they offer you?An opportunity to join a growing and innovative food business where creativity, collaboration, quality and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything they do.You’ll become part of a passionate and supportive team with the opportunity to influence product innovation, work closely with customers and suppliers and play a key role in bringing exciting new food products to market. This role offers the chance to develop your culinary and commercial expertise while making a real impact within a dynamic environment.We are keen to speak with experienced Culinary Development Managers, NPD Managers, Product Development Managers, Development Chefs, Innovation Managers, or Senior NPD Technologists from the food manufacturing or foodservice sectors who live within Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth, Stafford, Lichfield or surrounding areas.How to ApplyIf you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting re JO/TNT/2691 or call 0161 399 1575 / 07830 944145 for a confidential discussion.True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.

Location: Manchester
Overview: We are recruiting an experienced and commercially driven NPD Category Lead to join a leading food manufacturing business based in Manchester. This role is responsible for leading and delivering the category innovation pipeline, ensuring the successful development and launch of high-quality, commercially viable food products that align with customer expectations and business growth objectives.The successful candidate will take ownership of category strategy and pipeline delivery, working cross functionally with Technical, Operations, Commercial, Procurement, and Process teams to deliver products from concept through to launch. This is a highly customer facing role requiring strong leadership, commercial awareness and a passion for food excellence, innovation and continuous improvement.This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious NPD professional who thrives in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment and enjoys leading teams, influencing stakeholders and driving innovation at pace.About you…• Strong experience delivering end to end product development within a food manufacturing environment.• Previous experience managing retailer or customer-facing development projects and customer expectations.• Commercially aware with strong understanding of costings, margins, category performance and business growth objectives.• Proven ability to lead multiple projects and priorities within a fast paced environment.• Strong understanding of factory processes, scalability, operational constraints and factory ready product development.• Passionate about food quality, innovation and delivering products that exceed customer expectations.• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence customers and internal stakeholders.• Strong understanding of market trends, competitor activity and customer requirements within the food sector.What will you be doing?• Owning and managing the category innovation pipeline aligned to customer and business strategy.• Driving delivery of commercially viable products from concept through to launch, ensuring alignment to customer expectations and commercial targets.• Prioritising development activity and resources to focus on the most commercially valuable opportunities.• Monitoring pipeline progress, launch performance, project risks and delivery timelines to ensure successful execution.• Acting as the key NPD and Innovation contact for customers within the category.• Leading customer presentations, innovation sessions and development meetings to strengthen customer relationships and position the business as a trusted development partner.• Championing food quality, taste, and product excellence across the category, ensuring products are benchmarked against market-leading standards.• Driving creativity and innovation while balancing commercial delivery, operational feasibility and customer requirements.So, what can they offer you?An opportunity to join a forward-thinking and growing food manufacturing business where innovation, food quality, collaboration and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything they do.You’ll become part of a dynamic and supportive team with the opportunity to lead category innovation, influence customer strategy and develop commercially successful products within a fast-paced environment. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact by driving product excellence, developing high-performing teams and contributing to business growth through innovation and customer partnership.We are keen to speak with experienced NPD Category Leads, Senior NPD Managers, Innovation Managers, Product Development Managers, Senior Development Technologists, Category Development Managers or Senior NPD professionals from the food manufacturing sector who live within Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Warrington, Wigan, Preston, Leeds, Liverpool or surrounding areas.How to ApplyIf you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting re JO/TNT/2716 or call 0161 399 1575 / 07830 944145 for a confidential discussion.True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.

Location: West Midlands
Overview: We are recruiting an experienced and strategic Technical Manager to join a leading food manufacturing business in the Midlands. Reporting to the Head of Technical, this is a senior leadership role responsible for driving food safety, quality, legality, authenticity, compliance and hygiene standards across the site.This role will lead the Technical, Quality, Compliance, and Hygiene functions, ensuring all products are manufactured to the highest standards while maintaining customer confidence and protecting brand integrity. The successful candidate will play a critical role in developing and enhancing the site Food Safety & Quality Management Systems, leading audits, managing customer relationships and embedding a strong food safety culture across the operation.This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate and influential technical leader who thrives in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment and is committed to continuous improvement, operational excellence and people development. About you…• Degree qualified in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or a related discipline.• Proven senior technical management experience within a food manufacturing environment.• HACCP Level 4 and Food Safety Level 4 qualified.• Strong knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, VACCP, TACCP, retailer standards, and UK food legislation.• Experienced in leading customer, retailer and third-party audits within a manufacturing environment.• Strong understanding of allergen management, specifications, GMP, hygiene and quality systems.• Confident leader with the ability to influence, coach and develop high-performing teams.• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to build strong customer relationships.What will you be doing?• Developing and executing the site Technical strategy aligned with business and customer requirements.• Leading the Technical, Quality, Compliance, Specifications and Hygiene teams across the manufacturing operation.• Managing and maintaining the Food Safety & Quality Management System to ensure audit readiness at all times.• Overseeing HACCP, VACCP, TACCP, allergen management and food safety systems to ensure compliance and best practice.• Leading customer audits, third-party accreditations, technical visits and regulatory inspections including BRCGS and retailer audits.• Acting as the primary technical contact for customers, foodservice partners, Environmental Health Officers and Trading Standards.• Leading investigations into complaints, non-conformances, contamination issues and food safety incidents using robust root cause analysis. So, what can they offer you?An opportunity to join a well-established and growing food manufacturing business where quality, innovation, food safety and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything they do.You’ll become a key member of the senior leadership team with the opportunity to influence site strategy, lead technical excellence, and drive a strong food safety culture across the business. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact by developing high performing teams, strengthening customer relationships, and ensuring the delivery of safe, legal and high-quality products.We are keen to speak with experienced Senior Technical Managers, Technical Managers, Quality Managers, or Site Technical Managers from the food manufacturing sector who live within Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth, Lichfield, Stafford or surrounding areas. How to ApplyIf you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting re JO/TNT/2745. or call 0161 399 1575 / 07830 944145 for a confidential discussion. True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website. We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.

Location: Merseyside
Overview: Great opportunity for a Packaging Technologist to join a leading food manufacturer in this unique opportunity. About You: You will need to be qualified in material science, engineering or another science-based subject As Packaging Technologist, you will possess experience in food, FMCG packaging An interest and knowledge of sustainability Exceptional organisational skills Excellent communication skills What will you be doing? Day to day support the NPD Team, trials, sample request, specification requests, speak to suppliers, artwork review. Managing packaging development trials and launches. You will work collaboratively across the teams in the business and packaging suppliers. The successful Packaging Technologist will build strong relationships with packaging suppliers and keep up to date with all packaging trends Liaise with suppliers to ensure specifications and legal requirements are met. What can they offer you?This is a great business to work for. Opportunities exist within not only your department but in the wider business too.We are seeking applications from talented Packaging Technologists, Sustainable Packaging Technologists, Junior Packaging Technologists, Materials & Packaging Technologists and Packaging Innovation Technologists who live within Merseyside, Birkenhead, Liverpool, Ellesmere Port, ChesterHow to ApplyIf you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting re CH/TNT/2680 or call 0161 399 1575 / 07899 686690 for a confidential discussion. True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website. We are only able to consider candidates who have the full legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.

Location: Preston
Overview: Our client, a leader in the FMCG manufacturing sector, is seeking a motivated and experienced Engineering Project Manager to join their team. This role offers an opportunity to positively influence the efficient operation of the manufacturing facility and lead major investment programmes. About You:• You will be qualified in Engineering Project Management • Strong problem-solving skills• The successful Project Manager will have excellent interpersonal & communication skills• Establish and build relationships with all departments in the company• A team player who is self-motivated What will you be doing?• Drive the completion of capital-based projects to enhance the manufacturing facility's operability.• Undertake risk assessments for buildings, equipment, and processes prior to installation.• Managing project finance budgets, cost-benefit analyses, and financial controls.• As Engineering Manager, you will monitor and review project timeline, identifying and mitigating risks where necessary.• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to support department and operational KPIs.• Define and endorse safe working practices within all operating procedures. What can they offer you?They can offer a good salary and package. Looking to further develop yourself? They will encourage and support that too. This is your opportunity to work for a manufacturer who really are number one in their product sector. We are seeking applications from talented Engineering Project Managers, Project Engineers, Lead Project Engineer who live within Preston, Bolton, Wigan, Chorley, Blackburn and Lancashire. How to ApplyIf you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting re CH/TNT/2658. or call 0161 399 1575 / 07899 686690 for a confidential discussion. True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website. We are only able to consider candidates who have full legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.

Location: South Wales
Overview: This is your opportunity to join a successful, high performing FMCG business, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven leader with a strong background in manufacturing environments to take ownership of operational performance, team leadership and continuous improvement across the site. About You:• Proven experience in an Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or Senior Production leadership role within the food manufacturing or FMCG sector• Demonstrable experience leading multi-functional teams, including production, planning, warehousing and quality.• Ability to lead and motivate teams and drive continuous improvement.• As Operations Manager, you will need experience in workforce planning, performance management and developing high-performing teams.• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to work cross-functionally across operations, supply chain, technical and senior leadership teams.• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities in a time-sensitive environment. What will you be doing?• Lead the day-to-day operational performance of the site, ensuring production targets, quality standards and service levels are consistently achieved.• The Operations Manager will manage and develop site teams to deliver a safe, engaged and high-performing culture.• Drive improvements in productivity, efficiency, waste reduction and cost control.• Ensure full compliance with all safety, quality and health & safety standards.• Monitor and report on key operational KPIs, implementing action plans where required.• Ensure staff are properly trained, compliant with company policies and ready for the production floor. • Collaborate with supply chain, planning, technical and engineering teams to optimise site performance.• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and contribute to wider business objectives. What can they offer you?This is an opportunity to have an impact and make change in an environment that will give you the autonomy to do this. We are seeking applications from talented Site Operations Managers, Warehouse Managers, Factory Managers, Production Managers, Distribution Managers, Production Leads and Operation Leads who live within South Wales - Cardiff, Newport, Caerphilly, Merthyr, Pontypridd, Bridgend, Port Talbot or Swansea. How to ApplyIf you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting re ES/TNT/2580 or call 0161 399 1575 for a confidential discussion.True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website. We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.