Technical Manager

Would you like the opportunity to work with some of the world’s largest brands?

DCS Group is the UK’s leading Distributor, Manufacturer and Exporter of Health Beauty and Household products. As the uniquely appointed representatives for Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Kenvue, PZ Cussons, SC Johnson to name a few, DCS has unrivalled multi-channel insight and category expertise. Our latest exciting plans to develop and grow our new Food distribution business has seen major brands such as Whitworths and Danone joining forces with DCS.

DCS Group is passionate and proud about all that we do, the customers we serve and our people. Operating out of two amazing sites, we have the 26-acre Banbury Head Office and warehousing facilities as well as our new state of the art Health and Beauty manufacturing facility occupying 100,000 sq. ft based in Redditch.

As a family-owned business, we are very proud of our ethos, our people and 30 years of successive growth. We offer a very special opportunity of being able to join a welcoming, dynamic, fun place to work, and to work directly with the world’s biggest FMCG power brands.

We are currently looking to recruit Responsible and reliable Technical Manager to join us on a permanent, full-time basis working 40 hours per week at our Manufacturing site in Redditch. 

As a Technical Manager, your duties will include:

Product Development:

• Assessing Technical & commercial feasibility of new NPD briefs with the Sales team in the Gate Approval process for the factory, sourcing new materials, evaluating testing criteria and results, and managing changes to existing formulations. You will lead and oversee development projects sitting in your team and are in direct communication with the account managers.
• Review the labels/ customer artwork (and act as final Technical sign off) for Ingredients check, allergens, symbols, pack icons, Flammability, PAO, marketing copy & claims on FOP/BOP labels. Seek additionally expertise from RA Consultant where needed.
• Evaluate product feasibility and scalability, considering technical constraints, regulatory requirements, customer advisory lists and consumer safety standards, while identifying & addressing potential risks.
• Review formulations & commercials (generated by the development chemists) prior to submission to customer ensuring all claims are met via formulation support and/or through consumer validation.
• Manage the product portfolio, suggesting improvements, re-formulations and cost-saving measures to stay competitive.

Technical:

• Supporting Mixing (Blending) team with method of manufacture, 1^st production attendance, and assisting with rework instructions (with input from the Processing Manager).
• Write the Technical reports for Consumer complaints/ investigations (where Technical input) is required about the Formulation, to pass onto QC team for compilation of Quality report.
• Support Quality team with investigations/ QC checks / out of specifications
• Input (when needed) into External audits (BRC/ GMP/ ISO 14001/9001/22716/ Sedex & SMETA)
• Reviewing and updating SOPs on the Quality system, holding direct reports accountable for timely completion, review and renewal of documents and change management documents.

 People Management:

• Line Management of 3 Chemists, 2 microbiologists, 1 Regulatory assistant, 1 Processing Development Manager, 1 Packaging Technologist
• Lead and coach the Scientific/ Technical development of staff and promote a positive working environment and motivate team.
• Support the individuals with the PDP process, recommend or propose any additional courses that may help further their career development within the company, where applicable.

What we are looking for in our ideal Technical Manager:

Qualification requirements:

• Technical Qualification in relevant field – ideally to Masters or PhD Level or similar.
• Minimum 7+ years technical experience in related Health & Beauty or Cosmetics
• Demonstrated ability in managing and leading teams effectively - including recruitment, appraisals, 360 feedback.
• In depth knowledge of cosmetic chemistry: formulations, fragrances, raw materials, cosmetic regulations, and process.

Experience/Competencies Required:

• Effective communicator at all levels (to General manager, the Board & external Customers)
• Experience with retailers and/or cost-effective formulations
• Experience with external audits desirable
• Proactive and strong problem-solving
• Strong numerical ability and computer literacy (incl. MS Office proficient), commercially-minded
• Strong time management
• Able to cope well under pressure

Core benefits of working for DCS Group:

As a family business, we place a great deal of importance on the well-being and happiness of our staff and the benefits they can enjoy.

• Life Cover
• Pension
• Medical Cash Plan
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Well-being
• Staff Shop
• Social Events

There’s no place quite like DCS Group and we’re proud of that, which is all down to the people who work here.  If you want to be part of our expanding company which offers exciting opportunities for career progression, we would love to hear from you!