LIVESTOCK TECHNICAL MANAGER

SAOS are delighted to have been awarded the contract to deliver assessment and certification services on behalf of Quality Meat Scotland. This service will be delivered by SAOS’ new business, Food Integrity Assurance based in Edinburgh, with the full support from the wider SAOS community.

We are seeking to employ an experienced Livestock Technical Manager, with demonstrable experience within the livestock primary production sector, to take the lead role in providing technical guidance in support of the delivery and development of our services. You will have very good interpersonal skills with a positive and proactive work ethic to manage key relationships including the field-based assessor team, internal management team and external clients. This is a full-time position commanding a very competitive salary, to recognise the experience required and the responsibility attached to the role. A car allowance will also be provided to support the requirements of this field based and home-based working model.

Key responsibilities will include:
• Provide technical support and training to the current field-based assessor team and new assessors in conjunction with the assessor Team Leaders on an on-going basis and especially during the implementation of new standards
• Provide direct line management to the field-based assessor Team Leaders
• Support the Schemes Manager in providing effective training of the certification team ensuring that the interpretation of standards is accurate and up to date
• Provide cover to undertake evaluation and certification of assessment reports when required
• Conduct farm assessments and witnessed assessments where a critical risk has been identified
• Represent FIA to provide technical guidance to client forums such as Standard Setting Bodies and other relevant committees
• Support the Quality Manager, Operations Manager and Schemes Manager where guidance is required to manage member compliance issues
• As a member of the assessor management team, monitor assessment delivery KPIs and proactively identify potential risks to delivery and develop training requirements to maintain delivery KPIs as part of the Assessor Competency Program
• Liaise with external stakeholders where required to ensure technical consideration is given to the provision of joint services such as joint assessments or joint visits
• Assist the FIA senior management team to develop new services to complement and enhance those which we offer

You will join an enthusiastic and experienced team with a real passion for the food sector and will have the opportunity to develop our services with your own input whilst working closely with all stakeholders.

Starting salary £45,000 upwards based on experience

For more details please contact: Stephen.sanderson@saos.coop