Head of Technical
| Posting date: | 17 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 April 2026 |
| Location: | 6 Irthlingborough Rd Wellingborough, NN8 1LT |
| Company: | Booker Group |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 29666 |
Summary
This is a newly created and influential leadership role where you will define and deliver Booker’s technical strategy, ensuring the highest levels of product safety, quality, integrity and compliance across a broad and diverse portfolio. The role demands strong technical expertise, strategic insight and operational excellence, along with the confidence to guide the business as it continues to deliver safe, trusted and competitive products for customers.
As a senior technical leader, you will represent the voice of food safety, quality and compliance across the organisation. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, drive meaningful change and help embed a strong product first culture throughout the business. You will lead the technical planning cycle and strengthen governance, processes and performance frameworks so the technical function operates to the highest standards and continues to protect Booker’s reputation. You will also develop and inspire a high performing team with the skills and behaviours needed to deliver consistently excellent results.
- Lead the long term technical strategy to support business priorities and uphold the highest standards of product safety, quality and integrity.
- Anticipate emerging risks, regulatory changes and new technologies to keep Booker at the forefront of technical excellence.
- Turn insight into clear actions that protect customers and strengthen technical governance across the organisation.
- Continuously improve the technical framework, policies and standards to ensure they remain robust, efficient and fit for the future.
- Represent Booker as a senior technical expert and build strong, compliant and high performing supplier partnerships.
- Drive a consistent product and quality culture across the business, ensuring safe, legal and high quality products at every stage.
- Monitor key performance measures across customers, suppliers and compliance to identify issues early and support continuous improvement.
- Significant technical leadership experience within food retail, wholesale, manufacturing or a similar environment.
- Strong strategic and operational capability in food safety, quality management, compliance and product development processes.
- Demonstrable experience in risk management, incident handling, and technical governance.
- Proven ability to lead and inspire technical teams to deliver high standards at pace.
- Experience in category, product and specification development, and understanding of end‑to‑end supply chain assurance.
- A strong track record of delivering technical transformation, continuous improvement and cross‑functional collaboration.
- Ability to work confidently with senior leaders, influence decision‑making and challenge constructively.
- Relevant technical/food science qualification.