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.