Technical Manager

Technical Manager Location: Bolton Salary: Up to £75,000 + Excellent Benefits

Are you a commercially minded Technical Manager looking for the opportunity to genuinely shape the future of a growing manufacturing business?

This is a rare opportunity to join an ambitious and innovative UK manufacturer at a pivotal stage of growth, where your technical expertise, leadership, and ideas will directly influence new product development, operational performance, and long-term business strategy.

Working closely with senior leadership, you’ll take ownership of technical development across a specialist range of thermal insulation, temperature-controlled packaging, and industrial products used across UK and international markets. This is a highly visible role where you’ll have the autonomy to drive innovation, improve processes, lead technical projects, and help scale the business over the coming years.

The business offers the agility and influence of a smaller organisation combined with exciting growth plans, investment in innovation, and the opportunity to make a measurable impact across multiple areas of the operation.

This opportunity would suit a forward-thinking Technical Manager with experience in thermal products, insulation materials, construction products, packaging, manufacturing, materials science, or product engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical projects across insulation, thermal packaging, and specialist product ranges
• Develop new products and improve existing product performance through testing, trials, and innovation
• Provide technical leadership and support across manufacturing, sales, quality, supply chain, and senior management teams
• Manage product compliance and certification
• Support manufacturing teams with technical problem solving and production efficiency improvements
• Coordinate internal and external testing programmes to ensure product performance and compliance
• Support thermal analysis and cold chain simulation activities
• Work closely with customers, suppliers, and industry bodies to strengthen technical credibility and market presence
• Manage technical project timelines, priorities, and departmental budgets
• Contribute to innovation initiatives, patent development, and continuous improvement projects
• Support the adoption of modern technologies and productivity tools including AI
• Lead and develop a small technical and quality team

Skills & Experience Required

• Degree qualified is essential within a relevant field such as Materials Science, Engineering, Product Design, Manufacturing, Physics, Construction Technology, or a related technical discipline
• Previous experience as a Technical Manager, Product Development Manager, R&D Manager, Engineering Manager, or similar technical leadership role
• Strong understanding of heat transfer, thermal performance, insulation systems, or temperature-controlled products
• Experience within manufacturing, construction products, technical textiles, packaging, insulation, composites, or related industries
• Knowledge of product testing, compliance, certification, and quality management systems
• Commercial awareness with the ability to support business growth and product strategy
• Strong organisational, project management, and leadership skills
• Confident communicator with the ability to work across multiple departments and external stakeholders
• Hands-on, proactive, and solutions-focused approach
• Dynamic and forward-thinking mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement

Benefits

• Salary up to £75,000
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional company days
• Private healthcare
• BUPA cash plan
• Life insurance
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Attendance bonus scheme
• Profit-related bonus scheme
• Training and development support
• Smart health and virtual GP access
• Long service awards

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Technical Manager who wants more than just a maintenance role, it’s a chance to lead innovation, influence business direction, and be part of an exciting growth journey.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency. In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.