What does a Technical Compliance Manager do?

A technical team within food business are basically, the ‘food safety squad’ or ‘food police’. I work in investigating customer complaints and carrying out inspections and audits within the factory to ensure we uphold compliance to laws, standards, specs and procedures that make our food safe and taste good throughout the Karro Malton site.

How did you end up in this job?

I started in operations as slaughter-woman and carried out various jobs for 3 years. I got noticed by our site director, Amy, and was asked if I wanted to work on reception. It opened so many doors for me, and I chose the technical (food compliance and quality) route. I worked as CA (compliance auditors) admin for 8 months… I am now a manager who is still an apprentice! I will qualify in January 2023.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing this career?

Go for it. Even if you start on the shop floor and work your way up. It’s good graft a good laugh and strengthens you as a person. Alternatively there are so many apprenticeship schemes where you can get a good wage and also learn and gain a qualification without the student debt at the end of it!

What’s the best thing about your job?

Investigating food safety issues and driving compliance through the full company.

What was your starting salary?

32,000 as an apprentice manager

How long have you been doing your job?

I started at Karro 5 years ago but have been in my current role 9 months (1 year in June)

If you could give your 16 year old self some career advice, what would it be?

Not to worry so much about what I want to be and what everyone else is doing (A Levels, uni etc.), because there are so many opportunities I didn’t even know about at 16!