Category Technical Manager

We are looking for a visionary Category Technical Manager to lead a team of Technical Managers / Technologists in safeguarding Waitrose's reputation for excellence. You will oversee the safety, legality, and quality of our products while driving technical innovation and product development. If you are an inspiring leader with a passion for provenance and cross-functional collaboration, we invite you to help us elevate our standards and shape the future of our brand.

• Salary - £75,800- £121,000 

• Contract type - We are recruiting for two positions both on a Permanent contract.

• Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. Alongside this we have also signalled a clear intent for Central teams to work ‘more in person than not.’ For the Waitrose Own Brand Team this means 3 days a week of in-person time but it is not a hard and fast rule requiring everyone to be in the office 3 days a week. Supplier visits, time in our shops and time in the office all contribute to this requirement.

• Location - Bracknell Head office

• Interviews - We are aiming for interviews to take place end of June / Early July

Key responsibilities

Responsible for leading a team of expert Technical Managers and Technologists in the technical management of a defined range of new and existing Waitrose products and their manufacture (at external manufacturers and/or farms) to ensure the quality, safety, legality and compliance to relevant brand standards and provenance of those products and their components. 

• To manage and deliver product development programmes; to secure and develop the brand reputation of Waitrose

• To identify and implement within the department and supply chain, technical innovation to drive improved business efficiency and growth 

• To develop and implement technical and sourcing standards that maintain and enhance the Waitrose and Partners Brand reputation

• Lead and manage a team of Technical Managers and Technologists to reach their full potential and to be a role model for our Partnership values

• Facilitate cross functional working across category PODs, demonstrating appropriate stakeholder engagement

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Relevant Food Science degree or equivalent formal qualification

• HACCP level 3 and Lead Auditor training

• Relevant specialist training e.g allergens, microbiology, pesticide management, cosmetics

• Current (within last 12 months) extensive technical experience within the food or non food industry' 

• Recent experience in line management of a team and driving improvement through data driven insights 

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We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview. 

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