628 Technical Director jobs in the United Kingdom

Are you an experienced Chemist or Polymer Scientist with experience of leading product development Are you looking for a Technical Directors role within an expanding and successful polymer based manufacturing company As a Technical Director could you lead Product and Material Development while supporting the commercial team through technical discussions

Kingscroft has been asked to recruit for a Technical Director for a specialist rubber manufacturing business. With global reach in supply chain and customers the company is looking for a key member of the leadership team to drive this continued success.

As the ideal candidate you will have experience of leading a lab and technical team in the development of rubber or similar polymer products. You will be confident in linking with the commercial team when discussing required product characteristics and be able to help take that forward from sample volumes to mass manufacture.

Reporting to the MD your role will involve:

• Leading a lab team of Senior and Process Chemists and Technicians on all development and improvement activity
li>Work collaboratively with Engineering and Technical Sales Development regarding technical solutions and technical matters.
• Work closely with Engineering on NPI projects
• Manage the maintenance and development of industry leading lab facilities with procurement advice for all analytical and technical equipment
• Help drive new business and sample opportunities with technical guidance and sample production with the performance and cost profiles to satisfy customer needs.
• Ensure control of compounds and other raw materials to delivering technical excellence in all areas of the business
• Work closely with the leadership team to support the business with all the technical aspect of their growth and budget plans

This really is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role of Technical Director in the development and growth of this well positioned and well invested business.
Please apply today for a confidential conversation about the role and opportunity in this brilliant business.

By applying to this role, you will register as a candidate with Kingscroft Professional Resources. Our Privacy Policy explains how we will use your information.

We are a fast-growing branded food business based in Central London, known for our innovation, quality, and commitment to sustainability. With a strong presence in retail and foodservice channels, our mission is to deliver delicious, responsibly made products that consumers trust and love. As we continue our growth journey, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Technical Director to lead our technical and quality agenda across the business.

Role Overview

The Technical Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of product safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and technical integrity across our supply chain. This is a senior leadership position that plays a critical role in maintaining brand trust and enabling innovation. You will work cross-functionally with NPD, Operations, Procurement, and Commercial teams, as well as with external manufacturing partners, to ensure the highest standards are met from concept to consumer.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the technical strategy aligned to the company’s growth and innovation plans.
• Lead food safety, quality assurance, and compliance functions across the business.
• Own the Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure it meets all regulatory and retailer audit requirements.
• Manage technical relationships with co-manufacturers, suppliers, and third-party laboratories.
• Oversee supplier approval, specifications, raw material risk assessments, and HACCP validation.
• Lead the technical due diligence for new product launches, including packaging, shelf-life trials, and labelling compliance (UK and export if relevant).
• Ensure compliance with relevant UK, EU, and global food regulations, including allergen management and claims substantiation.
• Champion continuous improvement and drive a culture of quality across the organisation.
• Act as the main point of contact for food safety incidents, recalls, or crisis management.
• Provide technical leadership to the NPD process from concept to launch.
• Build, lead and develop the technical team, ensuring skills and resources align with business needs.
• Keep abreast of regulatory changes, emerging risks, and technological advances in food safety.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in a senior technical leadership role within the food manufacturing or branded FMCG sector.
• Strong knowledge of UK/EU food legislation, BRCGS, HACCP, and QMS principles.
• Experience managing third-party manufacturing partners and co-packers.
• Excellent understanding of food safety, quality systems, and risk management.
• Effective stakeholder management with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong people leadership skills with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Degree qualified in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or related discipline.

Desirable:

• Experience in branded, premium, or high-growth food businesses.
• Familiarity with sustainability, ESG, and ethical sourcing standards (e.g. RSPO, Sedex, etc.).
• Experience with international compliance (e.g. FDA, Codex, export documentation).

What We Offer

• A strategic leadership role in a purpose-driven, growing business.
• Hybrid working environment (3+ days in our Central London office).
• Competitive salary with performance bonus and share options (dependent on level).
• 25 days annual leave + public holidays.
• Private healthcare and wellness benefits.
• Opportunity to shape the future of a leading brand in the food industry.

We are a fast-growing branded food business based in Central London, known for our innovation, quality, and commitment to sustainability. With a strong presence in retail and foodservice channels, our mission is to deliver delicious, responsibly made products that consumers trust and love. As we continue our growth journey, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Technical Director to lead our technical and quality agenda across the business.

Role Overview

The Technical Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of product safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and technical integrity across our supply chain. This is a senior leadership position that plays a critical role in maintaining brand trust and enabling innovation. You will work cross-functionally with NPD, Operations, Procurement, and Commercial teams, as well as with external manufacturing partners, to ensure the highest standards are met from concept to consumer.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the technical strategy aligned to the company’s growth and innovation plans.
• Lead food safety, quality assurance, and compliance functions across the business.
• Own the Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure it meets all regulatory and retailer audit requirements.
• Manage technical relationships with co-manufacturers, suppliers, and third-party laboratories.
• Oversee supplier approval, specifications, raw material risk assessments, and HACCP validation.
• Lead the technical due diligence for new product launches, including packaging, shelf-life trials, and labelling compliance (UK and export if relevant).
• Ensure compliance with relevant UK, EU, and global food regulations, including allergen management and claims substantiation.
• Champion continuous improvement and drive a culture of quality across the organisation.
• Act as the main point of contact for food safety incidents, recalls, or crisis management.
• Provide technical leadership to the NPD process from concept to launch.
• Build, lead and develop the technical team, ensuring skills and resources align with business needs.
• Keep abreast of regulatory changes, emerging risks, and technological advances in food safety.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in a senior technical leadership role within the food manufacturing or branded FMCG sector.
• Strong knowledge of UK/EU food legislation, BRCGS, HACCP, and QMS principles.
• Experience managing third-party manufacturing partners and co-packers.
• Excellent understanding of food safety, quality systems, and risk management.
• Effective stakeholder management with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong people leadership skills with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Degree qualified in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or related discipline.

Desirable:

• Experience in branded, premium, or high-growth food businesses.
• Familiarity with sustainability, ESG, and ethical sourcing standards (e.g. RSPO, Sedex, etc.).
• Experience with international compliance (e.g. FDA, Codex, export documentation).

What We Offer

• A strategic leadership role in a purpose-driven, growing business.
• Hybrid working environment (3+ days in our Central London office).
• Competitive salary with performance bonus and share options (dependent on level).
• 25 days annual leave + public holidays.
• Private healthcare and wellness benefits.
• Opportunity to shape the future of a leading brand in the food industry.

Group Head of Technical

Multi-site (UK-based)

Nutritional feed solutions company

Ready to take ownership of technical excellence across a complex, integrated, and ambitious agricultural business?

We’re looking to recruit a Group Head of Technical to lead and evolve the technical function of a forward-thinking, multi-site Nutritional feed solutions company. This is a newly created, high-impact leadership role offering the opportunity to shape the future of technical governance, compliance, and quality across the group.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will have strategic ownership of technical governance, product quality, compliance, and formulation excellence across a vertically integrated agricultural business. Your remit will extend beyond manufacturing to encompass retail, procurement, third-party operations, and both internal and external production, ensuring consistency and integrity across every product and process.

You will lead a team of technical professionals, creating a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. With your leadership, the business will not only meet industry standards — it will exceed them.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the technical function across multiple manufacturing facilities, ensuring consistency, rigour, and best-in-class practices.
• Develop and implement a group-wide Quality Management System (QMS) that goes beyond compliance, setting a higher internal benchmark across all operations.
• Drive technical alignment across a complex value chain including retail operations, procurement, and third-party manufacturing partners.
• Oversee the delivery of nutritionally sound, commercially optimised animal feed, fertiliser, and other product formulations, ensuring both performance and compliance.
• Ensure full regulatory compliance with FEMAS, ISO, UFAS, and customer-specific standards.
• Inspire and lead a high-performing technical team, holding them accountable while empowering innovation and professional growth.
• Act as the technical conscience of the business, embedding robust governance frameworks and forward-thinking best practices.
• Work cross-functionally with commercial and operational teams to unlock value and support strategic decision-making.

What We’re Looking For:

• MSc or PhD in Animal Nutrition, Agriculture, Food Science, or a related field.
• Significant experience in a senior technical leadership role within feed manufacturing, or a similarly regulated sector.
• In-depth understanding of quality assurance frameworks and compliance standards (e.g., FEMAS, ISO, UFAS).
• Proven experience in multi-site governance, including external manufacturing and vertically integrated operations.
• A strong and transparent leadership style, capable of building buy-in, driving change, and embedding new ways of working.
• Commercially astute, with the ability to balance scientific integrity and business goals.

GLOBAL RECRUITMENT & HR SPECIALISTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, PETROCHEMICALS, CHEMICALS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975

Technical Director

Based in Derbyshire

Job ref: JE/63387

The client:

The company is a leading manufacturer of safety critical plastic pipe products that are used in highly regulated industry sectors. It is at the forefront of innovation and product development employing a highly experienced R&D team. This role has been created to lead the operational delivery of products; ensuring NPD projects are delivered on time, developing internal resource capabilities, interfacing with customers/stakeholders and management of the technical team.

The role:

Leading a team of professional engineers and technicians that span the design, development and new product introduction process for plastic pipe and fitting systems, mainly used in the utilities sector such as gas and water distribution.

The person:

The Technical Director will lead the technical team and in addition, represent the company externally on all technical matters pertaining to the product portfolio. Client meetings are an important attribute of the role and technical competency is therefore vital.

Key competencies expected of the post holder would include:

• Skilled in new product development process management
• Basic competency in Stage-Gate project definition and planning
• Estimating skills to support Portfolio Review c/w commercial colleagues
• Ability to deliver process leadership and achieve/sustain process adherence
• Management product compliance process with relevant utility organisations

• Sector expertise in market and application engineering (client focus)
• Expertise in pressurised plastic pipeline systems is an advantage
• Alternatively safety critical industries such as automotive, aerospace, oil & gas
• Expertise in lifetime (reliability) engineering for long life assets is an advantage
• Expertise in standards, risk management/design of tests outside standards
• Ability to deliver focused presentations & lead discussion forums with clients

• Relevant experience in design for manufacturing in plastics sector
• Expertise in material selection, properties & performance
• Expertise in design for injection moulding and/or multilayer pipe extrusion
• Expertise in specification of, and contract management of, tooling purchases
• Ability to be the gate keeper and final decision on technical attributes
• Proven ability to manage and deliver customer contracted R&D
• Expertise in preparation of offers, negotiating and agreeing scope of works
• Expertise in R&D contract forms, legal review and agreements
• Ability to deliver to time, quality and agreed outcomes, the contracted works

• Knowledge and experience of managing intellectual property portfolio
• Expertise in identification of patent opportunities & developing patents
• Expertise in monitoring patent databases, specifically competitor activity
• Expertise linked to infringement risk mitigation/defending against infringers
• Ability to maintain an active, valued, portfolio to reasonable budgets

• The ability to operate under pressure when faced with product or customer issues
• Expertise of operating in safety critical markets with AFARP/ALARP risks
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary team for containment & risk mitigation event
• Ability, with legal/contract professionals, to work through contract escalation
• Ability to sustain process until agreed outcomes achieved

• To lead and motivate the teams
• 2 direct reports (Product Development Manager and Compliance and Lab Manager)
• Currently 22 engineering/support staff
• Ability to identify internal and external resource requirements
• Expertise in budget preparation, planning ahead and justification

Other Attributes:

The post holder must display a high degree of emotional intelligence and provide a constructive ability to operate across a broad range of operational situations. A core attribute is the ability to work throughout the business to achieve operational goals, and to work with customers, suppliers, professional institutions and regulatory bodies to achieve outcomes having a direct bearing on the business reputation. The business expects to be seen as both technically competent, and as a leader in this respect, in its chosen segments

For reasons of better legibility, the simultaneous use of the language forms male, female and diverse (f/m/d) is avoided. All personal designations apply equally to all genders.

For EU roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the European Union. Proof of eligibility will be required with your application.

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To apply please contact Jane Edwards

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• Five Decades of Market Intelligence
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• Recognised International brand
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Listgrove Limited Registered in England No:

We are excited to be exclusively partnering with MH Fire Safety (MHFS) to recruit a senior leader who will drive technical excellence across their fire engineering function in Northern Ireland, the UK, and the Republic of Ireland.

This is a standout opportunity for an accomplished Chartered Fire Engineer to step into a Technical Director role, shaping the future of a fast-growing, values-led consultancy delivering high-impact projects - from high-rise and façade remediation to performance-based design.

The Role

You’ll work closely with the Managing and Operations Directors to:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a growing team of Fire Engineers
• Oversee and approve technical output across fire strategies, FRAEWs, and façade remediation
• Champion best practice and continuous improvement across the business
• Guide innovation in digital modelling (e.g. PyroSim, Pathfinder) and complex problem solving
• Represent MHFS in technical forums, client engagements, and strategic decision-making

What We’re Looking For

• MSc in Fire Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• Chartered Fire Engineer (IFE) - essential
• 10+ years’ experience including complex project delivery and leadership within consultancy
• Expertise in BS 7974, PAS 9980, Building Regulations, and modern fire risk methodologies
• A strategic mindset with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams

Why Join MHFS?

MHFS is a business where purpose meets autonomy. You’ll have the platform to shape technical direction, influence the industry, and contribute to safer, more sustainable communities. They’re building something long-term - this role puts you at the centre of that growth.

Location & Flexibility

• Primary office: Portglenone (near Ballymena), Northern Ireland
• Flexible hybrid working

Travel across NI, ROI, and UK for key meetings, site visits, and team engagement

Package

• Attractive base salary
• Up to 10% annual team performance bonus
• Private Health Insurance (Benenden)
• 28 days holiday (incl. statutory)
• Employer pension contributions (negotiable)
• Funded CPD and professional development
• Flexible and hybrid working options

Interested?

If you're ready to take the lead in a role that combines technical impact with strategic influence, I’d love to hear from you.

Apply directly or message me for a confidential chat.