Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:30
About the Role
Experienced and proactive Quality Assurance Manager to lead the Quality function within a large-scale, multi-level industrial food manufacturing facility. Operating within a high-volume FMCG environment, you will be responsible for maintaining an effective Quality Management System (QMS) while ensuring the highest standards of food safety, product quality, legality and authenticity across all manufacturing operations.
Reporting to the Technical Manager, you will lead the Quality Assurance and Hygiene teams, driving a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence and compliance throughout the site. This role requires strong leadership, technical expertise and the ability to work collaboratively with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain and Technical teams to ensure products consistently meet customer, retailer and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead, develop and motivate the Quality Assurance and Hygiene teams, creating a high-performance culture focused on food safety, quality and continuous improvement.
* Champion a positive Food Safety and Quality Culture across the entire manufacturing facility, ensuring standards are embedded at every level of the organisation.
* Maintain and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System, ensuring ongoing compliance with BRCGS Food Safety Standards, customer codes of practice and all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
* Ensure robust implementation, verification and continuous review of HACCP and TACCP/VACCP programmes across all manufacturing operations.
* Drive compliance with GMP, hygiene, environmental monitoring and allergen management programmes throughout the production facility.
* Manage site hygiene standards and pest control programmes, ensuring all planned activities are completed, verified and any corrective actions closed effectively.
* Oversee raw material, in-process and finished product quality verification programmes, including microbiological, chemical and physical testing through accredited laboratories.
* Ensure all quality monitoring, inspections and verification activities are completed accurately and on schedule.
* Lead investigations into customer complaints, non-conformances and quality incidents using structured root cause analysis, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
* Monitor quality KPIs, trend performance data and identify opportunities to improve product quality, process capability and operational performance.
* Ensure full product traceability is maintained across the manufacturing operation and lead mock recalls to verify system effectiveness.
* Plan and conduct internal audits while supporting external customer, retailer and certification audits.
* Deliver food safety, GMP and quality training to colleagues, ensuring competency across all operational teams.
* Collaborate with Production, Engineering and Continuous Improvement teams to deliver sustainable improvements in manufacturing processes and quality performance.
* Support the implementation, validation and maintenance of product specifications, quality standards and manufacturing controls.
* Ensure compliance with all customer specifications, retailer requirements and internal quality standards.
* Provide technical support during new product introductions, process changes and capital investment projects.
* Deputise for the Technical Manager where required and provide technical leadership across the wider site.
* Promote a proactive quality-first mindset, ensuring quality is built into every stage of the manufacturing process rather than inspected at the end.
About You
You are an experienced Quality professional with a passion for food manufacturing and operational excellence. You are comfortable working in a fast-paced, complex FMCG environment and have proven experience leading technical teams within large manufacturing operations.
Experience & Skills
* Minimum of 3 years' experience in a Quality Assurance leadership role within food manufacturing or FMCG.
* Experience managing Quality Assurance teams within a high-volume industrial manufacturing environment.
* Strong working knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Standard and retailer standards.
* Proven experience managing internal and external audits.
* Thorough understanding of HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, GMP, hygiene and allergen management.
* Experience managing environmental monitoring, pest control and sanitation programmes.
* Excellent root cause analysis and problem-solving skills using structured continuous improvement methodologies.
* Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
* Experience working within complex manufacturing sites, including multi-floor or vertically integrated production facilities, is highly desirable.
* Experience within milling, cereals, grains or dry ingredient manufacturing would be advantageous.
* Strong analytical skills with experience using quality KPIs and data to drive performance improvements.
Qualifications
Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
HACCP Level 3 (minimum).
Food Safety Level 3 (minimum; Level 4 desirable).
Internal Auditor qualification (BRCGS or equivalent preferred).
Full UK Driving Licence
Salary description
£40000.00 - £45000.00 per year