Technical Controller Food/Own Brand
Harrow, London Hybrid
35 hours per week
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