Technical Controller – Food / Own Brand

Harrow, London | Hybrid

35 hours per week

Total package worth upto £91,000

✈️ UK travel + occasional Europe

Are you a senior food safety & quality leader who wants real influence over a national own-brand portfolio?

We’re working with a major UK convenience retail brand to appoint a Technical Controller to lead food safety, quality assurance and compliance across their entire own-label range.

This is a high-impact, senior role where you’ll act as the guardian of the brand, setting national standards and leading the technical agenda across multiple regions and supply chains.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience leading a QA / Technical function within food or retail
• Strong background across multiple categories (chilled, ambient, frozen, non-food)
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, legislation and supplier management
• Comfortable operating in a matrix organisation with senior stakeholder influence
• Food science or relevant technical qualification (HACCP Level 4 desirable)
• Retail or own-label experience highly advantageous

What you’ll be doing

• Owning food safety, QA, compliance and responsible sourcing for the national brand portfolio
• Leading and developing the technical function (with direct reports)
• Approving and auditing suppliers across food, non-food and packaging
• Acting as the escalation point for product issues, recalls and crisis management
• Ensuring compliance with UK & EU legislation (HFSS, EPR, packaging, medicines, etc.)
• Working closely with internal teams, regional partners and international stakeholders
• Representing the brand with enforcement authorities and external bodies
• Shaping and delivering the Responsible Retailing & CSR strategy

This role blends strategy, leadership and hands-on technical expertise.

Why consider this role?

• National responsibility with genuine influence
• Senior leadership role within a well-established UK brand
• Broad, interesting supply base and stakeholder exposure
• Opportunity to shape standards, policy and long-term strategy