In today’s data-driven food industry, being a competent Head of Technical or Technical Manager requires more than just deep knowledge of food safety, HACCP, or quality systems. It demands a clear understanding of digitalisation and how it transforms the entire supply chain — from procurement and production to traceability, compliance, and customer satisfaction. Regulatory bodies and customers alike now expect real-time data, transparency, and proof of control — not just paperwork. Meanwhile, competitors are investing in smart factory tools, such as MES, IoT, and AI, to enhance efficiency, traceability, and decision-making speed.

Technical leaders who fail to adapt risk falling behind. Digital fluency enables not only better compliance and risk management but also delivers insights that improve yield, reduce waste, and boost operational performance. This is no longer a future goal — it’s a present-day expectation. If we want to lead rather than follow, we must evolve our mindset and skill set now.