Technical Manager

Solent Group was founded over 25 years ago with the vision to deliver, without compromise, an innovative portfolio to the Global Retail Industry. Priding ourselves in being more than just a supplier, the business was established as a key investor with product facilities across Health, Beauty, Household and Snacks. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.

Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers.

**Position**:
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed self-starter to join a successful, entrepreneurial company, based in our South Africa Office.

As Technical Manager you will be required to influence category technology strategies and decisions with a high level of expertise and knowledge. Provide direction and support to ensure compliance with relevant legislative specifications and standards. Coordinate the regular testing and conformance of products and packaging against an agreed specification. Act as a key contact for customers who require technical support and enabling the delivery of product development category plans. Ensure integration across our local internal and international teams. Be responsible for the management and upkeep of a total quality management system including periodic reviews and reporting.

The role also involves occasional business travel to various locations around the world to attend factory trials, factory gap analysis, pre-production and product launches and to meet with customers.

Key Responsibilities
- Technical development of new products being presented to market either by Solents’ retail partners or by Solents’ own brands.
- Working with technical teams in UK and Asia to ensure all technical aspects of a development project are completed, for example safety assessments, product performance testing, regulatory compliance, specification creation and legal checks etc.
- Input and implementation of business Technical Strategy.
- Prioritise and champion Solent’s Policies on Sustainability, Innovation and Ethical manufacturing.
- Manage the performance and development of junior team members.
- Network with key players in the industry.
- Management of technology and supplier base.
- Management of Solent total quality management standard, from quality assurance to non-conformance and complaint management.
- Implementation and management of brand integrity for and on behalf of the group and customers.
- Understanding the SA retail landscape to enable successful trade with a focus on compliance and legislation.
- The ability to work across a broad and diverse product category.
- Great problem-solving skills with a sound commercial aptitude.
- Ability to manage key customers and ensuring integration and alignment across teams.
- Handling of customer complaints/queries with the correct level of investigation, follow up and close out.
- Critical path management for new product development ensuring all technical deliverables are met.
- Artwork sign off to ensure compliance and all on pack markings and call outs are validated.

**Requirements**:

- BSc Food Science Degree / BTech Food Technology/ Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or Science
- Minimum 10 years industry experience across multiple product categories
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal
- Good working knowledge of Quality Management Systems, HACCP, BRC, Allergen Controls, Ethical Requirements, Internal Auditing, third party and retailer accreditation systems and Codes of Practice.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work under pressure and autonomously
- Organizational and team leading skills
- Knowledge of process improvement and validation
- Understanding of different process technologies relevant to product categories
- Knowledge of regulatory standards relevant to industry and product categories
- The ability to investigate and identify trends
- Engaging with key retailers coupled with financial acumen an advantage
- Driving food safety and quality
- Personal effectiveness and delivering high performance
- Having an innovative merchant and entrepreneurial mind-set
- Making insightful business decisions

**Other information**:
**Our Benefits**
- Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
- 17 days holiday per annum, increasing to 22 days after 3 years’ service and 25 days after 5 years’ service and 1 day for birthday leave
- Medical aid allowance
- Great learning and development and progression opportunities - Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
- Enhanced Maternity Leave
- Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team