Senior Food Safety, Quality & Technical Leader
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Purposeful Food Safety, Quality Assurance and Technical Management professional with more than 35 years' experience across the food manufacturing, ingredients, chilled foods, dairy, beverages, airline catering, retail, wines & spirits, foodservice and FMCG sectors.
Experience spans high-risk categories, including prepared fruit and vegetables, UHT dairy, pulses, and functional ingredients like flavourings. Managed vendor compliance against rigorous standards, maintaining sites to BRCGS expectations and achieving elite tier approvals such as the M&S A-List. Operationally, manages shelf-life and testing regimes specifically tailored to challenging matrixes like low-acid canned goods and ambient pastes.
Overseen regulatory compliance for complex labelling, artwork, and strict allergen segregation across these diverse ingredient groups to eliminate cross-contamination risks.
Experience leading Technical, Food Safety and Supplier Quality functions for major organisations including Lupa Foods, Fortnum & Mason, Premier Foods, En Route International, Lavazza Professional, Rich Products, Flora, Kerry Foods, Nature's Way Foods, H & B and DEFRA. A commercially focused technical leader with experience managing multinational supplier networks, delivering retailer compliance, improving product quality, reducing technical risk, leading high-performing technical teams and supporting business growth through robust food safety systems.
Interim Category Technical Manager - Lupa Foods Ltd - Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
(2025-09 - 2026-02)
Interim Wines & Spirits Technologist - Fortnum & Mason - London
(2025-02 - 2025-08)
Managed the Wines & Spirits technical agenda in partnership with Procurement and Merchandising.
Interim Quality Manager - Premier Foods - Ashford
(2024-10 - 2025-02)
Directed HACCP reviews, allergen management, and quality improvement initiatives.
Interim Senior Food Technologist - Leathams Ltd - London
(2024-06 - 2024-08)
Provided technical expertise to support supplier quality assurance and new product development within a fast-paced food ingredients business.
Technical Manager - En Route International Ltd - Windsor, Berkshire
(2023-06 - 2024-02)
Led the Technical function supporting international airline catering supply chains, ensuring product quality, regulatory compliance, and supplier performance across global markets.
Supplier Quality Assurance Technologist - Lavazza Professional Ltd - Basingstoke
(2021-11 - 2022-12)
Managed supplier quality assurance activities for European ingredient suppliers while supporting strategic sourcing and continuous improvement programmes.
Food Safety & Quality Manager - Rich Products Corporation - Andover
(2021-03 - 2021-11)
Led the Food Safety and Quality function, driving compliance, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.
Quality Assurance Manager – GTM - Flora - London
(2020-04 - 2020-12)
Provided strategic quality leadership for the UK, Ireland and Nordic markets, ensuring product quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement across multiple international markets.
Interim Technical Consultant - Seafood & Eat It - London
(2019-10 - 2019-10)
Reviewed existing technical systems and recommended improvements to strengthen compliance and operational performance.
Interim Food Industry Consultant - Lakor Consultancy - London
(2019-04 - 2019-10)
Quality & Safety Manager - Kitopi Kitchens Ltd - London
(2019-01 - 2019-04)
Led HACCP implementation and quality assurance programmes.
Food Industry Consultant - Independent Consultant
(2018-02 - 2019-01)
Provided independent consultancy services covering:
Technical Manager - DiSotto Foods Ltd - London
(2017-11 - 2018-02)
Supported new product development and process improvements.
Supplier Assurance Manager - Kerry Foods
(2015-08 - 2016-08)
Responsible for supplier quality management across a diverse food ingredient portfolio.
Technical Manager - DSI / Fourayes / Little Moons
(2012-07 - 2015-07)
Held senior technical leadership roles supporting food manufacturing operations across several businesses.
Technical Manager - Community Foods UK
(2010-07 - 2012-06)
Managed technical operations supporting branded and own-label food products.
Non-Executive Director - The Society of Food Hygiene & Technology
(2007-06 - 2012-01)
Contributed to strategic development of one of the UK's recognised professional organisations for food safety professionals. Supported industry engagement, governance, and professional standards.
Technical Manager - Bread Ltd - London
(2008-05 - 2008-08)
Provided technical leadership for food safety, quality management, supplier assurance, and regulatory compliance within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
Food Hygiene Consultant - Independent Consultant
(2008-05 - 2008-05)
Provided specialist consultancy on food hygiene, HACCP implementation, food safety systems, and regulatory compliance.
Quality Assurance Manager - Food Hygiene Consulting
(2008-01 - 2008-04)
Managed client quality assurance programmes, internal auditing, food safety systems, and technical compliance projects.
Technical Manager - The Cheese Cellar Company Ltd - London
(2002-06 - 2008-01)
Led the Technical Department during a period of significant business growth.
Higher Environmental Officer - Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) - London
(2002-03 - 2002-05)
Supported environmental policy, food regulation and compliance activities within central government.
Technical Manager - Foodhouse (UK) Ltd - London
(2001-11 - 2002-02)
Managed food safety, quality assurance and technical compliance across manufacturing operations.
Quality Manager - H & B Ltd - London
(1994-10 - 2001-10)
Master of Business Administration - MBA - University of Hull
Postgraduate Diploma - Food Science & Technology - University of Humberside (Hull)
Diploma in Food Technology - Food Technology - De La Salle College, Manchester
BSc (Hons) - Chemistry & Biology - De La Salle College, Manchester
