Commercial & Marketing teams are vital in food and drink manufacturing, driving growth, protecting margin, and building strong customer relationships. As specialist recruiters, we help food and drink manufacturing businesses find the talent to deliver commercial success.
In a market shaped by retailer consolidation, price sensitivity, brand competition and shifting consumer behaviour, strong Commercial & Marketing teams turn market insight into profitable sales strategy and sustainable brand growth. Find professionals for your food and drink manufacturing business and achieve success with True North Talent.
Commercial & Marketing in food manufacturing is a unique discipline.
It requires a balance of:
• Retailer relationship management expertise
• Category and consumer insight understanding
• Pricing and margin management capability
• Promotional and JBP negotiation experience
• Brand positioning and marketing strategy
• Cross-functional collaboration and commercial acumen
We understand the difference between a retailer-facing National Account Manager driving negotiations and a Category Manager shaping data-led growth strategy. We know what it takes to manage branded versus private label portfolios. And we understand how Commercial & Marketing must work cross-functionally with NPD, Supply Chain and Operations to deliver profitable launches and sustainable growth.
That’s why food manufacturing is the only sector we recruit within.
We take a consultative approach to permanent Commercial and Marketing hires.
We look beyond the job description to understand:
• Your customer mix (retail, branded, foodservice)
• Category positioning and competitive landscape
• Margin expectations and pricing strategy
• Growth targets and route-to-market
• Internal cross-functional structure
• Cultural dynamics within the business
We proactively approach high-performing Commercial and Marketing professionals within food manufacturing - not just active job seekers.
Food manufacturing is evolving rapidly:
• Increased retailer consolidation and buying power
• Private label growth and price competition
• Promotional intensity and margin pressure
• Changing consumer health and sustainability trends
• Data-driven category management
• Omnichannel and e-commerce growth
Your Commercial & Marketing team sits at the centre of all of it.
The right hire doesn’t just manage accounts, they:
• Protect and grow margin
• Strengthen retailer partnerships
• Improve forecast accuracy
• Drive successful product launches
• Build long-term brand equity
Hiring incorrectly, however, can lead to lost listings, margin reduction and stalled business growth.
That’s why sector expertise matters.
We recruit across the full Commercial and Marketing lifecycle, from account management through to board-level leadership.
Account Management & Sales
• National Account Manager (NAM)
• Senior National Account Manager
• Commercial Manager
• Customer Business Manager
• Head of Sales
• Sales Director
• Commercial Director
Category & Insight
• Category Manager
• Senior Category Manager
• Category Controller
• Shopper Marketing Manager
• Insights Manager
Brand & Marketing
• Brand Manager
• Senior Brand Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Head of Marketing
• Marketing Director
Strategic & Leadership Roles
• Head of Commercial
• Managing Director
• General Manager
Interim Commercial & Marketing Professionals
We also supply interim specialists for:
• Negotiation and retailer range reviews
• Brand repositioning projects
• New product launch support
• Commercial restructuring
• Maternity cover
• Short-term revenue acceleration programmes
Explore our latest Commercial and Marketing jobs.
South Yorkshire
c£40,000 -45,000 per year
Permanent
Location: South Yorkshire
Overview: This is a rare opportunity to join a strong technical team, and an exciting time to join a great business who are going from strength to strength.
The Role:
• Interpreting customer codes of practice, ensuring that all new products comply with all legal safety, authenticity, quality, and customer requirements
• Maintain site QMS and associated documentation in line with changes to legislation, customer and industry standards/codes of practice to assure compliance.
• The Technical Services Manager will work predominantly, and very closely with the Technical Manager, New Product Development Manager, commercial and production teams, as well as liaising with team colleagues and other departments.
• Creating and approving customer packaging requirements
• Preparing and attending customer meetings, providing technical support for new product submissions
Experience Required:
• Degree in Food Science or similar with experience in technical services in a fast-paced food environment.
• The Technical Services Manager will need Lead Auditor/Internal Auditing experience.
• Experience of working in technical services within a food manufacturing environment
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and highly organised, with the ability to balance day-to-day needs with long-term objectives.
Company Overview:
This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a forward thinking, proactive and innovative company with recent investment which has resulted in strong and stable growth. This company have a collaborative culture and a focus on progression and development for every level of the business.
We are seeking applications from talented Technical Service Managers, Compliance Managers and Quality Assurance Managers, Technical Systems Managers, Technical Support & Compliance Managers who live within Sheffield, Huddersfield, Pontefract, Rotherham and the surrounding South Yorkshire areas.
If you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting reference CH/TNT/3330 to carole@truenorthtalent.co.uk or phone 0161 399 1575/ 07899 686690 for a confidential discussion.
True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across Operations/Engineering/Technical/NPD/Supply Chain and Commercial. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.
We are only able to consider candidates who have the full legal right to work in the UK Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.
North-East
£60,000 - 65,000 per year
Permanent
Location: North-East
Overview: We’re looking for a commercially driven and relationship-focused Supply Chain Manager to join a growing and forward-thinking food business based in the North East. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact - leading key category strategies, managing customers, and supporting the company’s growth plans.
About You:
What will you be doing?
What can they offer you?
You’ll be joining a growing food business that’s proud of its strong culture, supportive team environment, and genuine passion for great food. The company values collaboration, innovation and doing things the right way - with plenty of opportunity to make your mark and influence how the supply chain function evolves.
We’re keen to hear from talented Supply Chain Managers, Commercial Supply Chain Managers, End to End Supply Chain Managers and Supply Chain Professionals based in or around the North-East - South Shields, Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead or Sunderland.
How to Apply
If this sounds like the next step for you, please send your CV quoting ref CH/TNT/3346 or call Carole on 0161 399 1575 for a confidential chat.
True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs.
We are only able to consider candidates who have the full legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.
Tyne & Wear
£60,000 - £65,000 per year
Permanent
Location: Tyne and Wear
Overview: A leading and growing food company is seeking an experienced Technical Manager to lead and develop their site technical function. This is a key leadership role, responsible for driving food safety, quality standards, BRC compliance and continuous improvement across the business.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on Technical Manager who thrives in a busy manufacturing environment and is passionate about developing strong food safety cultures while supporting future business growth.
About You:
• Experienced Technical Manager with a strong background within food manufacturing, ideally chilled food production.
• As Technical Manger, you will have experience within a Technical or Quality Assurance function, with proven experience managing teams and technical operations.
• Degree level qualification in Food Science or a related subject, with Food Safety Level 3, HACCP Level 3 and Internal Auditor training essential.
• Strong knowledge of BRC Global Food Safety Standards, retailer requirements, customer audits and managing technical compliance.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to influence across all levels of the business, drive improvements and embed a strong food safety culture.
What will you be doing?
• Leading the Technical Department, including QA, Quality Management, Process and Hygiene functions, ensuring all products meet safety, quality and legal requirements.
• Managing and improving the site’s food safety management systems, including HACCP, BRC compliance, audits, root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.
• As Technical Manager, you will be driving the site’s Quality KPIs, identifying opportunities for improvement and working collaboratively with wider teams to improve performance year on year.
• Leading internal, customer and third-party audits, managing non-conformances and ensuring effective corrective and preventative actions are implemented.
• Supporting product development and launches, ensuring products meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements and site standards.
What can they offer you?
• The opportunity to join a successful and growing food manufacturing business in a key leadership position.
• A role with significant influence, allowing you to shape technical strategy and develop a strong food safety culture across the site.
• The chance to work with major customers and stakeholders while contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across the wider European business.
• A supportive environment with opportunities for career development and progression.
• The opportunity to be part of a business committed to maintaining high standards across food safety, quality and operational excellence.
We are seeking applications from talented Technical Managers, Senior Technical Managers, Quality Managers, Technical Quality Managers, Head of Technical, Technical Services Managers, QA Managers and Food Safety Managers who live within Tyne & Wear, South Shields, Tyneside, Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and the surrounding areas.
How to Apply
If you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting ref CH/TNT/3345. or call 0161 399 1575 / 07899 686690 for a confidential discussion.
True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.
We are only able to consider candidates who have the full legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.
North West London
£60000 per year
Permanent
Greater Manchester
c£65,000 per year
Permanent
Location: Greater Manchester
Overview: We are recruiting an experienced Supply Chain Planning Manager to join a growing and successful food manufacturing business. Reporting directly to the Head of Supply Chain, you'll lead the Planning, Demand Planning and Materials teams, ensuring accurate forecasting, efficient production planning and seamless material availability across the site.
This is a key leadership role where you'll work cross functionally with Commercial, Operations, Technical, NPD, Logistics and Finance to deliver excellent customer service while optimising inventory, capacity and labour. You'll play a pivotal role in driving continuous improvement, reducing working capital and helping shape the future Supply Chain strategy within the business.
About you…
What will you be doing?
So, what can they offer you?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a successful and growing food manufacturing business where Supply Chain plays a central role in delivering operational excellence and outstanding customer service.
You'll become part of a collaborative senior leadership team, working across the business to influence strategy, improve planning processes and drive continuous improvement. The business is committed to investing in its people and systems, giving you the autonomy to make a genuine impact while developing your own career.
If you enjoy leading high performing teams, improving planning accuracy and creating efficient supply chain processes within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, this is a fantastic opportunity to take the next step in your career.
We are keen to speak with experienced Supply Chain Planning Managers, Planning Managers, Supply Chain Managers, Demand Planning Managers, Materials Managers, Production Planning Managers, Supply Chain Leads or Senior Planners from the food manufacturing or FMCG sectors who are based in Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Warrington, Wigan, Blackburn, Preston or the surrounding areas.
How to Apply
If you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting ref JO/TNT/3327 or call 0161 399 1575 / 07830 944145 for a confidential discussion.
True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.
We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.
Teeside
£50000 per year
Permanent
Location: Teesside
Overview: We're working with a well-established and growing fresh food manufacturer looking to appoint an NPD Manager to lead the site's New Product Development function.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a fast-paced manufacturing business where you'll take ownership of the end-to-end NPD process, bringing innovative food-to-go products from concept through to launch while ensuring they meet customer expectations, commercial objectives and operational capabilities.
Working closely with Technical, Operations, Commercial, Procurement and Supply Chain, you'll play a key role in delivering exciting product innovation, continuous improvement and successful customer launches within a dynamic chilled food environment.
About You:
• An experienced NPD Manager, Senior NPD Technologist or Development professional with a strong background in food manufacturing, ideally within chilled, fresh food or food-to-go production.
• Proven experience managing the end-to-end product development process from concept through to successful factory launch.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes, customer requirements, food safety and quality standards.
• Experienced in working with major retailers or foodservice customers, translating customer briefs into commercially successful products.
• A confident communicator with excellent project management skills and the ability to influence stakeholders across multiple departments.
• Passionate about food innovation, consumer trends and delivering products that exceed customer expectations.
What will you be doing?
• Leading the site's New Product Development function, managing projects from initial concept through to successful factory launch.
• Working closely with customers to understand briefs, develop innovative product concepts and deliver commercially viable solutions.
• Collaborating with Technical, Operations, Procurement, Commercial and Supply Chain teams to ensure products are manufacturable, cost-effective and meet quality standards.
• Managing product trials, factory launches and first production runs, ensuring a smooth transition into manufacturing.
• Driving continuous improvement across existing product ranges, identifying opportunities for recipe optimisation, cost reduction and product enhancement.
• Monitoring food trends, consumer insights and market developments to generate innovative product ideas.
• Managing development timelines, ensuring projects are delivered on time and in line with customer expectations.
• Supporting presentations, customer tastings and internal innovation sessions to showcase new product concepts.
What can they offer you?
• The opportunity to join a successful and growing food manufacturing business with an exciting pipeline of new product development.
• A varied role where you'll have genuine influence over product innovation and customer relationships.
• The chance to work with major retail and foodservice customers on exciting product launches.
• A collaborative environment where Technical, Operations and Commercial teams work closely together to deliver success.
• Excellent opportunities for career progression within a forward-thinking and ambitious business.
We are seeking applications from talented NPD Managers, Senior NPD Technologists, Development Managers, Product Development Managers, Innovation Managers, Process Managers, Senior Development Technologists and NPD Project Managers who live within Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, Redcar, Hartlepool, Northallerton, Thirsk, Durham, Sunderland, York, Newcastle upon Tyne and the surrounding areas.
How to Apply:
If you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting ref IC/TNT/3317, or call 0161 399 1575 / 07447 735175 for a confidential discussion.
True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, Engineering Jobs, Technical Jobs, NPD Jobs, Supply Chain Jobs and Commercial Jobs. We may hold your data in accordance with our privacy policy, available on our website.
We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.
North East, UK
c£60,000 per year
Permanent
Location: Teesside
Overview: We're working with a well-established and growing food manufacturer looking to appoint a Technical Manager to play a key role in leading the site's technical function.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a fast-paced manufacturing business where you'll be responsible for maintaining exceptional food safety, quality and compliance standards, while driving continuous improvement and supporting the ongoing success of the site.
Reporting into the Head of Technical, you'll lead the day-to-day technical operation, working closely with Production, NPD, Engineering, Commercial and Supply Chain to ensure products consistently meet customer, retailer and regulatory requirements. You'll play a key role in embedding a positive food safety culture while supporting the wider business in delivering operational excellence.
About You:
• An experienced Technical Manager, Quality Manager or Senior Technical professional with a strong background in food manufacturing, ideally within chilled, fresh food or food-to-go production.
• Proven experience managing Technical or Quality teams within a manufacturing environment, with the ability to coach, develop and motivate others.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Standards, HACCP, food legislation, retailer standards and customer requirements.
• Experienced in leading customer, retailer and third-party audits, managing non-conformances and implementing effective corrective and preventative actions.
• An excellent communicator with the confidence to build strong relationships across all areas of the business and with external customers.
• Passionate about food safety, quality and continuous improvement, with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
What will you be doing?
• Leading the day-to-day Technical function, ensuring all products are manufactured safely, legally and to the highest quality standards.
• Supporting the Head of Technical in maintaining and continuously improving the site's Quality Management System (QMS) and food safety management systems.
• Ensuring compliance with BRCGS, retailer standards, food legislation and customer requirements across the site.
• Leading internal, customer, retailer and third-party audits, ensuring corrective and preventative actions are implemented effectively.
• Monitoring technical KPIs, customer complaints, microbiological results and audit outcomes to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Managing HACCP, traceability, supplier approval, product specifications, risk assessments and technical documentation.
• Leading, coaching and developing the Technical and Quality teams, promoting a strong food safety culture throughout the business.
• Working collaboratively with Operations, NPD, Engineering, Procurement and Commercial teams to support product launches, process improvements and wider business objectives.
• Investigating technical issues, carrying out root cause analysis and implementing robust corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
What can they offer you?
• The opportunity to join a successful and growing food manufacturing business with an excellent reputation for quality.
• A key leadership role where you'll have genuine influence over food safety, quality and continuous improvement.
• The chance to work closely with major retail customers while developing your career within a progressive and supportive business.
• A collaborative environment that values innovation, continuous improvement and people development.
• Excellent opportunities for future career progression within the wider technical leadership team.
We are seeking applications from talented Technical Managers, Quality Managers, Assistant Technical Managers, Senior Quality Managers, Technical Services Managers, QA Managers, Food Safety Managers and Senior Technical professionals who live within Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, Redcar, Hartlepool, Northallerton, Thirsk, Durham, Sunderland, York, Newcastle upon Tyne and the surrounding areas.
How to Apply
If you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting ref IC/TNT/3316, or call 0161 399 1575 / 07447 735175 for a confidential discussion.
True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, Engineering Jobs, Technical Jobs, NPD Jobs, Supply Chain Jobs and Commercial Jobs. We may hold your data in accordance with our privacy policy, available on our website.
We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.
Our priority is to build long lasting relationships built on trust.
See some of our food and drink manufacturing clients who have built out their Commercial Marketing team with True North Talent.
We’re proud of the partnerships we build. Here’s what our clients and candidates say about working with us and the results we deliver.
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Recommended to work with. Amy was the key star on the whole process.
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I have had plenty of dealings with Cleo and she is one of the few recruiters who rings you to check how you are doing, even if she doesn’t have a role in mind.
Latest dealings were a conversation Thursday 08:30, interview Friday 15:00 and start Monday 09:00. Pleasure to deal with.
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1/83
The best experience ever. Carole helped me during the process and updated me on the progress.
Thank you and keep up the good work.
Health & Safety Manager
1/83
Explore our latest market insights on all things food and drink manufacturing.
I’m a sucker for a good discount code, and I’ve seen numerous influencers posting codes lately about HelloFresh and Gousto so I thought I’d give them a try. Although recipe boxes have been around awhile now, I’m totally new to trying them. There’s a few pros and cons I’ve noticed so far.
The Future of Food: Trends, Tech and Changing Tastes in 2025 The UK food and drink manufacturing industry is always moving and in 2025, the pace feels faster than ever. With new technology, shifting consumer demands and constant pressure to stay competitive, manufacturers are being asked to do more than just keep up. They need to be forward-thinking, agile and ready to adapt. At True North Talent, we spend our time speaking to leaders, candidates and businesses across the industry. That means we’ve got a front-row seat to the changes shaping the sector right now. In our seventh article, we look at operational excellence and what that includes in food and drink manufacturing. Reducing Waste & Boosting Profitability in Manufacturing Operations In food and drink manufacturing, margins are often tight. Rising costs, supply chain pressures and growing sustainability expectations mean businesses can’t afford inefficiencies on the production floor. That’s where operational excellence comes in 24/7 and one of the biggest opportunities lies in reducing waste. Why Reducing Waste Matters Waste doesn’t just mean throwing away ingredients. It’s also about lost production time, inefficient processes and even underused talent. Every bit of waste impacts the bottom line, from energy costs and packaging to labour hours. With consumer and retailer expectations higher than ever, reducing waste isn’t just good for the planet, it’s vital for profitability. We are hearing from clients who are putting an emphasis on turning waste into value and projects that are designed to aid food and drink businesses harness the untapped potential of food waste to create new revenue streams and reduce the sector’s environmental footprint. Where the Biggest Gains Are Found Manufacturers leading the way are focusing on: * Smarter processes: lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives that cut out bottlenecks. * Technology and automation: using data, AI and sensors to spot inefficiencies before they become costly. * People-first thinking: empowering teams to spot issues early and drive improvements on the line. The Role of Talent Operational excellence doesn’t happen without the right people. Businesses need leaders who can embed continuous improvement into culture, engineers who understand modern automation and managers who balance efficiency with quality. Finding and developing that blend of skills is what turns good factories into great ones. How True North Talent Can Help At True North Talent, we understand that reducing waste and boosting profitability is as much about people as it is about process. We connect food and drink manufacturers with the operations, engineering and leadership talent who make these changes stick. Whether it’s interim specialists to deliver a lean transformation project, or permanent hires to lead ongoing improvements, we’ve got you covered. 👉 Cutting waste. 👉 Building stronger teams. 👉 Driving profitability. That’s what operational excellence looks like when you have the right talent in place.
The Future of Food: Trends, Tech, and Changing Tastes in 2025 The UK food and drink manufacturing industry is always moving and in 2025, the pace feels faster than ever. With new technology, shifting consumer demands and constant pressure to stay competitive, manufacturers are being asked to do more than just keep up. They need to be forward-thinking, agile and ready to adapt. At True North Talent, we spend our time speaking to leaders, candidates, and businesses across the industry. That means we’ve got a front-row seat to the changes shaping the sector right now. In a series of articles, we will document some of the big things we’re seeing. The Top 5 Trends Shaping UK Food & Drink Manufacturing in 2025 So, what’s driving the industry this year? Five key themes keep coming up: 🌍 Sustainability pressures From cutting carbon emissions to reducing food waste and introducing recyclable or compostable packaging, sustainability has shifted from a “tick box” exercise to a core business strategy. Both retailers and consumers are demanding proof of progress, making sustainability central to long-term competitiveness and reputation. 🔗 Supply chain resilience The aftershocks of Brexit, COVID-19 and global disruption are still being felt. Businesses are now investing in smarter, more flexible supply chains that prioritise local sourcing, diversified suppliers and improved forecasting to mitigate risk and protect margins. 👩💼 Talent challenges The fight for skilled people across operations, engineering, technical and leadership roles is as fierce as ever. With labour shortages and an ageing workforce, businesses are increasingly looking at innovative ways to encourage young people into the industry, turning to interim specialists, flexible hiring models and stronger employer branding to attract and retain the right talent. 💷 Cost efficiency Inflationary pressures and rising raw material prices continue to squeeze margins. Manufacturers are seeking ways to deliver more with less through leaner processes, automation, energy efficiency and sharper procurement strategies, all while maintaining product quality and consistency. 🥗 Innovation in NPD Consumers expect healthier, more sustainable and exciting food and drink options at speed. Manufacturers are under pressure to innovate quickly and effectively, balancing creativity with compliance, safety and commercial viability in a highly competitive market. These aren’t just trends on paper; they’re impacting how businesses plan, hire and operate on a daily basis. ✨ Summary At True North Talent, we understand these challenges because we live and breathe food and drink manufacturing recruitment. Whether you need specialist interims to drive projects forward, permanent hires to strengthen your teams, or senior leaders to shape strategy, we connect you with the right people to help you adapt and thrive in 2025.
I’m a sucker for a good discount code, and I’ve seen numerous influencers posting codes lately about HelloFresh and Gousto so I thought I’d give them a try. Although recipe boxes have been around awhile now, I’m totally new to trying them. There’s a few pros and cons I’ve noticed so far.
The Future of Food: Trends, Tech and Changing Tastes in 2025 The UK food and drink manufacturing industry is always moving and in 2025, the pace feels faster than ever. With new technology, shifting consumer demands and constant pressure to stay competitive, manufacturers are being asked to do more than just keep up. They need to be forward-thinking, agile and ready to adapt. At True North Talent, we spend our time speaking to leaders, candidates and businesses across the industry. That means we’ve got a front-row seat to the changes shaping the sector right now. In our seventh article, we look at operational excellence and what that includes in food and drink manufacturing. Reducing Waste & Boosting Profitability in Manufacturing Operations In food and drink manufacturing, margins are often tight. Rising costs, supply chain pressures and growing sustainability expectations mean businesses can’t afford inefficiencies on the production floor. That’s where operational excellence comes in 24/7 and one of the biggest opportunities lies in reducing waste. Why Reducing Waste Matters Waste doesn’t just mean throwing away ingredients. It’s also about lost production time, inefficient processes and even underused talent. Every bit of waste impacts the bottom line, from energy costs and packaging to labour hours. With consumer and retailer expectations higher than ever, reducing waste isn’t just good for the planet, it’s vital for profitability. We are hearing from clients who are putting an emphasis on turning waste into value and projects that are designed to aid food and drink businesses harness the untapped potential of food waste to create new revenue streams and reduce the sector’s environmental footprint. Where the Biggest Gains Are Found Manufacturers leading the way are focusing on: * Smarter processes: lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives that cut out bottlenecks. * Technology and automation: using data, AI and sensors to spot inefficiencies before they become costly. * People-first thinking: empowering teams to spot issues early and drive improvements on the line. The Role of Talent Operational excellence doesn’t happen without the right people. Businesses need leaders who can embed continuous improvement into culture, engineers who understand modern automation and managers who balance efficiency with quality. Finding and developing that blend of skills is what turns good factories into great ones. How True North Talent Can Help At True North Talent, we understand that reducing waste and boosting profitability is as much about people as it is about process. We connect food and drink manufacturers with the operations, engineering and leadership talent who make these changes stick. Whether it’s interim specialists to deliver a lean transformation project, or permanent hires to lead ongoing improvements, we’ve got you covered. 👉 Cutting waste. 👉 Building stronger teams. 👉 Driving profitability. That’s what operational excellence looks like when you have the right talent in place.
The Future of Food: Trends, Tech, and Changing Tastes in 2025 The UK food and drink manufacturing industry is always moving and in 2025, the pace feels faster than ever. With new technology, shifting consumer demands and constant pressure to stay competitive, manufacturers are being asked to do more than just keep up. They need to be forward-thinking, agile and ready to adapt. At True North Talent, we spend our time speaking to leaders, candidates, and businesses across the industry. That means we’ve got a front-row seat to the changes shaping the sector right now. In a series of articles, we will document some of the big things we’re seeing. The Top 5 Trends Shaping UK Food & Drink Manufacturing in 2025 So, what’s driving the industry this year? Five key themes keep coming up: 🌍 Sustainability pressures From cutting carbon emissions to reducing food waste and introducing recyclable or compostable packaging, sustainability has shifted from a “tick box” exercise to a core business strategy. Both retailers and consumers are demanding proof of progress, making sustainability central to long-term competitiveness and reputation. 🔗 Supply chain resilience The aftershocks of Brexit, COVID-19 and global disruption are still being felt. Businesses are now investing in smarter, more flexible supply chains that prioritise local sourcing, diversified suppliers and improved forecasting to mitigate risk and protect margins. 👩💼 Talent challenges The fight for skilled people across operations, engineering, technical and leadership roles is as fierce as ever. With labour shortages and an ageing workforce, businesses are increasingly looking at innovative ways to encourage young people into the industry, turning to interim specialists, flexible hiring models and stronger employer branding to attract and retain the right talent. 💷 Cost efficiency Inflationary pressures and rising raw material prices continue to squeeze margins. Manufacturers are seeking ways to deliver more with less through leaner processes, automation, energy efficiency and sharper procurement strategies, all while maintaining product quality and consistency. 🥗 Innovation in NPD Consumers expect healthier, more sustainable and exciting food and drink options at speed. Manufacturers are under pressure to innovate quickly and effectively, balancing creativity with compliance, safety and commercial viability in a highly competitive market. These aren’t just trends on paper; they’re impacting how businesses plan, hire and operate on a daily basis. ✨ Summary At True North Talent, we understand these challenges because we live and breathe food and drink manufacturing recruitment. Whether you need specialist interims to drive projects forward, permanent hires to strengthen your teams, or senior leaders to shape strategy, we connect you with the right people to help you adapt and thrive in 2025.
If you want to know more about how we can support your food and drink manufacturing company to strengthen your Sales, Commercial or Marketing team, or if you are a Sales, Commercial or Marketing Professional looking for a new role, please get in touch with True North Talent today.
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