Technical Manager

SUMMARY:
Technical Manager – Parow Industria, Cape Town
Manufacturing (Food Production) | Full-time | On-site
 
Our client, a well-established food manufacturing business supplying wholesalers, retailers, and commercial clients, is seeking an experienced and hands-on Technical Manager to take full ownership of food safety, quality, and technical operations within their factory environment.
 
This is a senior leadership role, forming part of the core operational management team, suited to an individual who can drive compliance, improve quality standards, and lead a multidisciplinary technical team in a regulated production environment.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities

• Take full accountability for all food safety, quality, and technical functions across the business
• Manage and lead the Quality and Technical team, including Food Safety, QC, and related functions
• Maintain and continuously improve the FSSC 22000 Food Safety Management System to ensure ongoing certification
• Ensure full compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and customer-specific requirements (including retailer standards)
• Oversee end-to-end product quality and food safety from raw material procurement through to final product delivery
• Drive reduction in customer complaints through root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensure all product documentation is accurate and maintained (specifications, COAs, shelf life, nutritional data, etc.)
• Act as the primary point of contact for customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities on all technical matters
• Lead all audits and inspections, always ensuring full readiness and compliance
• Develop and implement technical and quality strategies aligned with overall business objectives
• Establish and manage training and development plans across production, quality, and technical teams
• Monitor risks and opportunities related to food safety and quality, implementing mitigation strategies
• Support broader business performance, including contributing to operational efficiency and profitability
• Work cross-functionally with production, NPD, maintenance, and operations teams to ensure alignment
• Assist with social compliance requirements in collaboration with HR

• BTech / BSc in Food Technology, Food Science, or related field
• ISO 22000 Lead Auditor certification
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, PRPs, and FSSC 22000 systems
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar Technical or Quality leadership role within food manufacturing
• Solid understanding of microbiology and food safety principles
• Experience within the meat or cold foods industry highly advantageous
• Strong knowledge of major retailer (e.g. Woolworths) standards and requirements
• Proven leadership ability with experience managing cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and ability to operate in a compliance-driven environment