Our Client, a highly successful e-commerce and wholesale supplier of FMCG, gifts and party goods has a vacancy for a Technical Manager. An interesting role requiring a broad range of skills and an excellent knowledge of international product compliance.
Job Purpose
This role will be responsible for managing the technical areas of the business including understanding and documenting the key product specifications and testing requirements for a wide variety of product types for both domestic and international customers, in addition to managing customer ethical and technical audit requirements with the supplier base.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills are essential; you will work very closely with the Shanghai team, communicating daily to move forward testing and auditing requirements. You will work alongside production, product development and the supplier base, as well as communicating directly with national grocery retailers.
Main duties:
Product
• On daily basis liaise with the global factory base to request data relating to the technical nature of products across a wide variety of categories, from paper plates to toys to indoor fireworks.
• Review and risk assess product development to decide testing plans and flag potential areas of concern.
• Manage the testing of products with 3rd party laboratories to ensure the correct testing is completed and provided to customers prior to shipping
• Liaise with 3rd party technical consultants as required to ensure products comply with all required legislation
• Track product issue complaints and produce a monthly report.
• Follow up on any recurring product issue to investigate if they are underlying process or QC issues.
• Lead in correcting product issues, including reworks in the UK or at the factory site. Negotiate with the supplier to ensure cost incurred are compensated.
• Manage Technical Files for each product/range of products
• Complete informal in-house testing to ensure product risks are mitigated
• Arrange for a 3rd party explosive batch test on each shipment and review the reports once received. Follow up with shipment approval or refusal with actions to the factory
Factory Audits
• Keeping track of required audits and ensure that suppliers are prepared and book these audits in line with customer deadlines.
• Follow up on any non-conformances that require actions following an audit.
• Work closely with new suppliers to onboard and get them up to required audit standards.
Customer tech Support
• Manage and update customer specific technical systems
• Produce DoC’s as requested for our customers using existing certification
• Meet with customers as required to provide technical assurance and to be the voice of authority on technical policies
• Manage pre shipment inspections for customer own label projects and follow up on any issues
Internal Support
• Ensure all artwork and back of pack technical information meets all requirements prior to sending to factories.
• Lead and drive eco and sustainability in the business. Be a voice of authority on the eco credentials of our products and aid our suppliers and product developers with further product and packaging advancements.
• Manage the Client’s factory sustainability performance programme and help drive improvements
• Advise on recyclability of various packaging types and assess supplier suggestions.
• Lead with the collation and submission of the Waste Packaging data for the year using our product management software.
• Manage the Health and Safety of the office utilising our 3rd party consultants and ensuring that our legal obligations are met
• Gather all information for the Client’s annual FSC audit and host the auditor on the day.
• Manage Quality Manual documentation and annual audit for the firework category.
Key attributes to role
• Clear, precise email and verbal communication internally and externally
• Key attention to detail.
• Work methodically, and systematically with attention to detail.
• Flexible, and open to working on variety of projects at one time.
• Strong relationship skills to build partnerships with suppliers, 3rd party industry contacts, and team – both in the UK and overseas.
• Able to manage a large and varied workload.
• Self-motivating, and able to remain focused on true priorities,
• Strong communication skills - Personable and able to work well with different types of people.
• Full of positive energy and strong drive to succeed.
• Very inquisitive and willing to challenge the status quo.
• Able to work under pressure and stick to deadlines
• Excellent communicator both written and verbal – you will be the key bridge between a variety of people.
• Proactive over reactive – Looking for ways to prevent issues before they happen rather than having to firefight.
• Able to see the bigger picture.
• Strong team player
Experience required
• Experience working in a similar role, including working directly with factories in China, India and Europe.
• Experience of working in a wholesale organisation
• A high level of Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel & Outlook and ability to quickly learn new systems.