For uncompromising cat parents who want the best, KatKin goes hardcore for cat health. We make the UK’s only fresh cat food: 100% human-quality meat, gently cooked, and frozen for freshness. 

Where the competition cuts corners, catfishes customers and puts profits over health, we put cat wellbeing first. No shortcuts. No secret recipes. We’re cutting the fluff, thinking fresh and channelling hardcore love into industry-wide change. So cats live long and cat parents can love hard without compromise.

We’re all-in for cats, and it shows: our energy will blow you away from day one. You’ll be surrounded by knowledgeable scientists, big creative thinkers, astute business brains, and a whole team of hardcore cat parents. All on a mission to make hardcore love the new standard in cat care – with a fresh take on every product in the cat industry.

Located in Haverhill, the KatKin Kitchen is where our fresh, 100% human-quality meat food is gently cooked and frozen. We are looking for an exceptional full-time Technical Manager to lead the technical function, delivering a first-class technical service across food safety, quality, legislative and customer requirements.

You’ll lead the technical team with clear communication, structured planning and disciplined supervision whilst engaging and influencing key stakeholders and teams across the site. 

• Develop and execute our technical strategy whilst being hands-on to drive results with key stakeholders and teams across the site on a day-to-day basis 

• Lead the site readiness preparations cross-functionally to ensure the site is successful in the first BRC audit

• Provide technical leadership and expertise to solve day to day challenges, risk assessments and crisis management when needed 

• Ensure that all technical standard customer codes of practice, technical policies, quality standards and food legislation are consistently adhered to  

• Ensure that all technical manuals, systems and processes are reviewed, updated, trained and communicated on frequently with key stakeholders and teams across the site 

• Ensure that the HACCP (HACCP/TACCP VACCP) program is maintained and aligned with best practice at all times 

• Ensure that the QMS is effectively implemented and amended to ensure product standards are maintained

• Ensure the QA and Hygiene teams are run effectively and adequate technical resources are available

• Ensure that all areas have adequate pest control mechanisms in place to limit the threat to food safety

• Carry out, review and communicate trend analysis of quality issues e.g. customer complaints and TVC counts

• Manage and coordinate internal audits by;

1. Implementing audits ensuring scope is applicable,

2. Planning and scheduling internal audits to the required frequency, and

3. Following up on issues raised and implementing relevant corrective action.

• Ensure appropriate intervention and training takes place as required when a failure occurs in any areas, ensuring action points are taken and results communicated 

• Ensure KatKin has a robust supplier management system in place 

• Ensure any external and internal non conformance are investigated and any corrective actions are carried out in a timely manner. 

• Advise and provide information to site Management, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements by fully understanding company policy and procedures, current and future technical legislation and its implications on the business

• Liaise with the Foods Standard Agency,  Environmental Agency, and APHA for external audits, whilst establishing a good working relationship and providing timely statutory reports as and when required

• Develop a culture of teamwork and cooperation throughout the site and through your own influence and guidance to always put the customer and their cats first 

• Mitigate any risk of food recalls with robust food safety policies, systems and team training  

• Minimum of 5 years experience in a high care/risk ready meals or cooked meat product FMCG food manufacturing site

• Educated to at least a degree level in food science or a related discipline 

• You’ll be comfortable with agricultural animal food production (chicken, beef, pork, fish, turkey, lamb, duck) 

• Experienced knowledge of health and safety/food safety systems & legislation:

  • Food Safety and Hygiene Level 3 minimum 

  • HACCP Level 3 minimum

  • Food Safety Level 3 minimum 

  • Listeria, Micro awareness knowledge 

• Effectively worked cross functionally with a range of teams (Technical, Production, Engineering, and Quality)

• Highly organised and able to prioritise your workload within a pressurised environment

• Are a strong communicator and able to communicate with internal teams,  external customers, suppliers, external authorities and visitors in a professional manner

• Ability to reliably commute or relocate to CB9 7FD

• Career-defining opportunity in being instrumental to scaling our brand, fast

• No egos and a small close-knit team  

• 33 days of holiday every year plus your birthday off 

• Discount on KatKin fresh meals 

• Comprehensive AXA health insurance including optical and dental after probation 

•  Yearly personal development budget 

• Company pension 

Send your CV and very brief sentences on the below questions to terrie@katkin.com 

• Tell us about a time you hustled in order to get something done

• What are your blind spots as told by the person who knows you best?

• Tell us the most important learning you’ve had in the food technical space 

• Which DTC brand has delighted you the most and what did they do?

• Which piece of work are you most proud of and why?

• If you have one, tell us your favourite thing about your cat(s)