Technical Manager

What we do at KatKin
For uncompromising cat parents who want the best, KatKin goes hardcore for cat health. We make the UK’s only fresh cat food: 100% human-quality meat, gently cooked, and frozen for freshness.
Where the competition cuts corners, catfishes customers and puts profits over health, we put cat wellbeing first. No shortcuts. No secret recipes. We’re cutting the fluff, thinking fresh and channelling hardcore love into industry-wide change. So cats live long and cat parents can love hard without compromise.
Why you’ll love working with us
We’re all-in for cats, and it shows: our energy will blow you away from day one. You’ll be surrounded by knowledgeable scientists, big creative thinkers, astute business brains, and a whole team of hardcore cat parents. All on a mission to make hardcore love the new standard in cat care – with a fresh take on every product in the cat industry.
About your role
Located in Haverhill, the KatKin Kitchen is where our fresh, 100% human-quality meat food is gently cooked and frozen. We are looking for an exceptional full-time Technical Manager to lead the technical function, delivering a first-class technical service across food safety, quality, legislative and customer requirements.
You’ll lead the technical team with clear communication, structured planning and disciplined supervision whilst engaging and influencing key stakeholders and teams across the site.
Key ownership areas:
Develop and execute our technical strategy whilst being hands-on to drive results with key stakeholders and teams across the site on a day-to-day basis
Lead the site readiness preparations cross-functionally to ensure the site is successful in the first BRC audit
Provide technical leadership and expertise to solve day to day challenges, risk assessments and crisis management when needed
Ensure that all technical standard customer codes of practice, technical policies, quality standards and food legislation are consistently adhered to
Ensure that all technical manuals, systems and processes are reviewed, updated, trained and communicated on frequently with key stakeholders and teams across the site
Ensure that the HACCP (HACCP/TACCP VACCP) program is maintained and aligned with best practice at all times
Ensure that the QMS is effectively implemented and amended to ensure product standards are maintained
Ensure the QA and Hygiene teams are run effectively and adequate technical resources are available
Ensure that all areas have adequate pest control mechanisms in place to limit the threat to food safety
Carry out, review and communicate trend analysis of quality issues e.g. customer complaints and TVC counts
Manage and coordinate internal audits by;
Implementing audits ensuring scope is applicable,
Planning and scheduling internal audits to the required frequency, and
Following up on issues raised and implementing relevant corrective action.
Ensure appropriate intervention and training takes place as required when a failure occurs in any areas, ensuring action points are taken and results communicated
Ensure KatKin has a robust supplier management system in place
Ensure any external and internal non conformance are investigated and any corrective actions are carried out in a timely manner.
Advise and provide information to site Management, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements by fully understanding company policy and procedures, current and future technical legislation and its implications on the business
Liaise with the Foods Standard Agency, Environmental Agency, and APHA for external audits, whilst establishing a good working relationship and providing timely statutory reports as and when required
Develop a culture of teamwork and cooperation throughout the site and through your own influence and guidance to always put the customer and their cats first
Mitigate any risk of food recalls with robust food safety policies, systems and team training
Who you are:
Minimum of 5 years experience in a high care/risk ready meals or cooked meat product FMCG food manufacturing site
Educated to at least a degree level in food science or a related discipline
You’ll be comfortable with agricultural animal food production (chicken, beef, pork, fish, turkey, lamb, duck)
Experienced knowledge of health and safety/food safety systems & legislation:
Food Safety and Hygiene Level 3 minimum
HACCP Level 3 minimum
Food Safety Level 3 minimum
Listeria, Micro awareness knowledge
Effectively worked cross functionally with a range of teams (Technical, Production, Engineering, and Quality)
Highly organised and able to prioritise your workload within a pressurised environment
Are a strong communicator and able to communicate with internal teams, external customers, suppliers, external authorities and visitors in a professional manner
Ability to reliably commute or relocate to CB9 7FD
What we offer:
Career-defining opportunity in being instrumental to scaling our brand, fast
No egos and a small close-knit team
33 days of holiday every year plus your birthday off
Discount on KatKin fresh meals
Comprehensive AXA health insurance including optical and dental after probation
Yearly personal development budget
Company pension
To Apply:
Send your CV and very brief sentences on the below questions to #####
Tell us about a time you hustled in order to get something done
What are your blind spots as told by the person who knows you best?
Tell us the most important learning you’ve had in the food technical space
Which DTC brand has delighted you the most and what did they do?
Which piece of work are you most proud of and why?
If you have one, tell us your favourite thing about your cat(s)
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