Technical Systems and Audit Lead – Middlesbrough Southbank

Technical Systems and Audit Lead

We are seeking a Technical Systems and Audit Lead to support our chilled food manufacturing sites Middlesbrough, strengthening our food safety, quality, compliance, and technical governance across the factory!

The role uses data, audits, technical expertise, and strong factory engagement to identify risks, eliminate recurring issues and develop capability. You will be a key technical partner helping to embed a culture of ownership, accountability, food safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

About The Compleat Food Group

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good – great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat. 

We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.

With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better. 

Location: Middlesbrough, Southbank TS6 6BJ 

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm

What you’ll be doing

•   Own the site internal audit programme, ensuring audits are planned, completed with actions closed 

•   Maintain compliance with technical systems, ensuring alignment with company, customer, regulatory, and site requirements.

•   Analyse SPC, non-conformance, complaint, and audit data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

•   Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions 

•   Own critical vision and compliance systems auto coding, calibration of critical equipment, metal detection and checkweighers

•   Drive process control, centreline adherence, quality, and governance at site

•   Lead quality and technical improvement projects focused on reducing non-conformances, improving product quality, process control, and governance.

•   Support NPD and Operations with new product trials, launches, process improvements, and technical problem solving.

•   Maintain a strong factory presence, working closely with operational teams to embed standards, develop capability, and deliver sustainable improvements.

What we’re looking for

• Experience in a food manufacturing or FMCG technical/quality environment, with a strong factory-floor presence. 
• Good knowledge of food safety, FS&Q systems, HACCP, GMP, BRCGS, customer standards, and regulatory requirements. 
• Experience owning and delivering internal audit programmes and managing corrective actions through to sustainable closure.  
• Understanding of SPC, process control, centrelines, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement. 
• Experience with technical and compliance systems, including vision systems, metal detection, checkweighers, calibration, and coding systems. 
• Strong Lean and Continuous Improvement skills, with experience identifying waste, improving processes, standardising ways of working, and delivering sustainable improvements. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and data interpretation skills. 
• Proven experience coaching, influencing, and developing operational teams 
• Confident in challenging and influencing at all levels
• Strong communication skills 
• A hands-on, proactive, and improvement-focused approach

Why Join Us?

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and career growth:

Financial & Lifestyle Benefits

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
• Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
• EV charging points – available at selected sites

Health & Wellbeing

• 24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub – free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts 

• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support – from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools – including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid

Career Growth & Development

• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
• Company Mentoring Scheme  to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards

Community & Culture

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together
• Employee networks & support groups – including Women @ Compleat
• New baby gift for new parents

What You Should Know About How We Recruit 

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe great teams are built on difference. We create an inclusive, respectful environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and are able to be themselves at work.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect. If you need a reasonable adjustment at any stage of our recruitment process, just let us know, we’ll support you — confidentially and with care.

We hire the best people for our roles, not the same people. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, we focus on what you do and the impact you could make in our business. Our recruitment process is fair, accessible, and designed to give everyone an equal chance.

You’ll also find benefits that support people at every life stage, plus active internal networks — including Women @ Compleat, LGBTQIA+, and Neurodiversity 

Recruitment Agencies: 

We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team.