Technical Manager

Job Description

Technical ManagerAlconbury, Huntingdon PE28, UKMM Flowers is a dynamic growing business supplying fresh cut flowers and bouquets from all over the world to the retail sector across the UK and Europe.The company operates from a state-of-the-art facility in Alconbury, Huntingdon and is embarking on its next phase of growth as a leading firm across the industry.MM Flowers are seeking to add to the team, a Technical Manager.JOB TITLE: Technical ManagerREPORTING TO: Head of TechnicalDEPARTMENT: TechnicalLOCATION: Alconbury, HuntingdonManaging the technical needs for specific MM Flowers customers including the relevant growers, suppliers, and personnel. Using expertise & experience, together with great people skills and a knowledge of fresh produce, exhibit a data led, analytical approach to problem solving and continuous improvement to deliver great customer service.MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:Customer Management- Ensure adherence to reporting of customer metrics- Lead key technical and development matters- Communicate clearly to all key customer needs to the wider MM Flowers Team with an emphasis on the internal account teams- Ensure seamless working with customer and MM Flowers account teams and full alignment with commercial and NPD goals- Prepare accurate and timely reports. Prepare and present data and insight for MM, its customers, growers and suppliersProduct Management- Support the Commercial team with technical input and dialogue- Work closely with account team to understand market requirements, performance and research & develop new varieties and packaging formats- Use APEX to ensure that raw material and finished goods are appropriately benchmarked & account team understands the materials/products that it markets- Contribute to sourcing decisions to deliver consistency and product quality appropriate to needs e.g. specification, complianceFunctional Management- Working closely with Commercial, Procurement and Sustainability teams building on current partnerships and creating new ones- Maintain, motivate and train Technical coordinator- Managing team’s daily schedule- Successful management and development of personnel including annual appraisal, training and objective setting- Supply Base Management- Establish and maintain good relationships with relevant growers- Communicate customer needs/policies to Procurement team to ensure raw material purchases in line with customer expectations- Conduct regular performance reviews with customers/key growers utilising data from key sources e.g. Intake, APEX, Procurement- Ensure growers are approved and accredited to customer’s requirements and manage and advise where exceptions occurSustainability- Through grower management, share knowledge of sustainability challenges/practices both to and from MM Flowers- Inform account team and customer(s) on the sustainability criteria for each and every product proposed/sourced- Ensure growers supply Proposed Pesticide Product Lists in compliance to customer and legal standardsSKILLS & EXPERIENCE:- Degree in Horticulture, Botany or a related subject - Preferred, not essential- A levels or equivalent in relevant subjects - Preferred- Experience within the horticultural or related industry- Understanding of breeding, growing and post-harvest of fresh produce- Basic knowledge of biological and physiological processes - Essential- Experience of managing teams in a fast-paced environment- Excellent organisational, problem solving and analytical skills - Essential- High level of IT literacy, particularly Microsoft Office suite- Full driving licence - Essential.Who are we looking for- Resilience (the business is very demanding and complex with global sourcing ongoing daily to meet retail demands 364 days per year, compounded by 3 annual peaks’ from Christmas through to Mother’s Day)- Enthusiasm and passion for all aspects of horticulture and interaction with growers, customers and industry stakeholders- Excellent communication & interpersonal skills, confidence to speak to individuals of all levels and backgrounds both one to one and in groups- Conveys credibility, confidence and gravitas- Consultative, influencing and proactive approach - works in partnership with the business at all levels- Acumen to identify commercial opportunities driven by technical differentiation- Tackling difficult issues with tenacity and pragmatism with the ability to step back and make considered response- High attention to detail- Flexibility to demands of work schedule- Desire to travel (sometimes at short notice)