We are currently looking to recruit a Technical Account Manager to join our customer technical team at our head office in Leeds. Acting as the main point of contact for a specific key account, you will be responsible for all technical related activities. Within this high profile role, the job holder will build strong relationships with the customer and develop joint technical business plans and strategies, supporting the relevant Arla commercial team in providing a full technical service which satisfies customer needs.


Responsibilities

You will be responsible for developing, managing and supporting the business groups and dairies in meeting customer demands and requirements. Liaising with customers in relation to reporting, investigating issues and coordination of customer audits in order to support and enhance our trusted partnerships with a key customer.

You will both participate in and manage QEHS related projects, sharing specialist knowledge in order to deliver continuous improvement. Providing risk assessment and crises management support when appropriate, you will contribute to the resolution of issues, carrying out internal audits, ensuring all customers technical queries and problems are answered and resolved to enable a permanent and satisfactory solution.

Acting as the key technical consultant in all projects and technical aspects associated with the respective account to ensure that food safety, quality and legality are met, you will monitor and trend all relevant customer complaint data, panel results and agree continuous improvement plans to reduce CPMU. You will provide relevant reports to the customer, sites and business group management as applicable.

To fully understand and communicate all relevant UK legislative and customer technical requirements to all relevant Arla and sub-contractor sites in both UK and overseas, you will be fully conversant and familiar with factory and supply chain processes and procedures for products within your area of responsibility.

You will represent Arla across a broad range of topics, including Ethical, Sustainability and Responsible Sourcing, coordinating customer projects and reporting in these areas. Working closely with Agriculture, Supplier Assurance, NPD and Packaging Teams you will develop own label plans across the categories under your responsibility.


Skills

To be successful in this role you will be educated to at least degree level in a food science or related discipline with significant experience of working in a technical/operational role either in food manufacturing or with a retailer. Experience of working within a dairy environment would be advantageous as well as knowledge of Sustainability, Ethical and Responsible Sourcing. You will have technical experience of working with key retailers and you must have sound knowledge of food manufacturing and processing techniques as well as GFSI audit standards, including BRC.

You will be self-motivated, tenacious and passionate about delivering excellent customer service. With strong technical skills, you will have knowledge of quality management systems and laboratory methods along with retailer internet based specifications systems. Excellent IT and Presentation skills are a must.