Technical Director - Oleochemicals & Food - German company

About the RoleOn behalf of our client, we are recruiting a Technical Director to lead Production, Quality, and Product Development (Laboratory) at a manufacturing site that produces animal feed and food-grade ingredients. The ideal candidate will come from the food, oleochemical, or chemical industries and bring a strong track record of technical leadership, operational excellence, and hands-on project execution.The facility operates with a team of approximately 60 employees and additional contract workers, within a culture that prioritizes ethics, transparency, and entrepreneurial spirit.This is a key leadership role that reports directly to the General Manager and plays a central part in the site’s ongoing development and performance.Key ResponsibilitiesProduction ManagementOversee day-to-day production activities to ensure high levels of efficiency, product quality, and safety.Drive operational improvements, capacity utilization, and cost control.Lead and support the plant team with a hands-on, collaborative management approach.Product Development & InnovationManage laboratory operations focused on product formulation, application testing, and process development.Coordinate with internal and external partners on product innovation and technical support.Align new developments with commercial needs and regulatory requirements.Quality & ComplianceEnsure full compliance with quality standards for both feed and food products (e.g. FSSC 22000, GMP+, ISO).Supervise quality control and assurance systems across the production cycle.Lead quality audits, certifications, and continuous improvement initiatives.Cross-Functional Project LeadershipLead and manage capex projects, plant upgrades, and process automation initiatives.Take ownership of site-wide technical challenges and lead ad hoc strategic projects.Collaborate with other departments and corporate functions to ensure alignment and progress.People & CultureFoster a strong culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.Mentor technical and operations staff to support skills development and engagement.Promote the company’s values of high ethics, innovation, and customer focus.Candidate ProfileExperience10–15 years of technical leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in oleochemicals, food ingredients, animal nutrition, or chemical processing.Proven experience managing production, laboratory/R&D, and quality operations.EducationDegree in Chemical Engineering, Food Technology, Animal Science, Process Engineering, or a related field.Additional certifications in quality or project management are an advantage.SkillsDeep understanding of manufacturing operations, quality systems, and product development.Strong leadership, people management, and cross-functional coordination skills.Practical, hands-on approach combined with strategic thinking.High ethical standards and commitment to health, safety, and environmental compliance.Fluent in English; other languages are a plus.