Technical & Safety Manager

Robert Lyons (Hiring Manager - Business Unit Director)

The Technical/Safety Manager is responsible for ensuring that the warehouse operates to the required standards of food safety, health and safety, quality, legality, and compliance. This includes maintaining the BRCGS Storage & Distribution accreditation, overseeing technical and quality management systems, and supporting the handling, storage, and distribution of fresh produce to meet customer and regulatory requirements.

The role also involves providing clear, timely technical updates and performance insights to the central group management team, ensuring alignment with wider group standards, expectations, and strategic objectives.

Ensures that all operational activities adhere to statutory Health & Safety requirements and internal risk management frameworks.

Key Responsibilities 1. Quality & Food Safety Management

• Maintain and continually improve the site's BRCGS Storage & Distribution Standard compliance.
• Lead site preparation for internal, external and certification audits. Ensure all operations comply with food safety, hygiene, and quality requirements.
• Manage the site's HACCP plans, risk assessments, and prerequisite programmes.
• Ensure effective handling of non-conformances, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Own and manage the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring it remains current, accurate, and audit-ready.

2. Fresh Produce Quality Oversight

• Support quality inspections, intake checks, shelf-life assessments, and product release.
• Liaise with suppliers and customers regarding technical and quality matters.

3. Training & Staff Support

• Coordinate training on food safety, hygiene, allergen control, and quality procedures.
• Provide technical guidance to supervisors, warehouse teams, and senior management.
• Promote a strong food safety culture across the site.

4. Compliance & Health & Safety Support

• Ensure site compliance with relevant legislation, industry standards, and customer requirements.
• Work closely with the Health & Safety team to align food safety and H&S practices where appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and product quality.
• Lead or support site improvement projects and customer-driven initiatives.
• Track and report key technical KPIs.

5. Additional responsibilities

• Provide flexible support across the wider business as operational needs arise.

Skills & Experience Required

• Experience in a similar technical, quality, or compliance role within fresh produce, food distribution, or food manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of BRCGS Storage & Distribution (Lead Auditor qualification desirable).
• Understanding of HACCP principles and food safety legislation.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to lead audits and manage relationships with customers, suppliers, and certification bodies.
• Competent in QMS management and technical documentation.

Personal Attributes

• Detail oriented with a systematic approach.
• Practical, hands on, and comfortable working in warehouse environments.
• Proactive, confident, and able to work independently.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence others.

About you About us

The Bidfresh journey

We're Bidfresh. A fast growing team of fresh food experts in a collection of regional businesses across the UK. We're a big business with big ambitions. We succeed by focusing on the detail. By going the extra mile to find the best products. By building relationships with our partners. And by going further to support our teams to develop and grow. Our work is full of excitement, care and a big sense of achievement. And our 'Fresh' values guide the way. Make our journey, your journey, and take your first small steps towards a big career adventure.

Rewards and benefits

We've created a benefits package that is designed to support you and reward your hard work. Every employee (subject to completion of probation) is automatically entitled to:

• Discounts: Save on Bidfresh products, high street shopping, travel, and cinema tickets
• Free parking: Free parking at our sites
• Health care cash plan: Access to a health care cash plan
• Confidential support and counselling: Access to free confidential support and counselling
• Pension scheme: Access to a pension scheme
• A minimum of 30 days holiday entitlement

Robert Lyons (Hiring Manager - Business Unit Director)

Team

Marc Shipton (Hiring Manager - Business Unit Director)