Quality Manager

Quality Manager
We’re looking for an experienced Quality Manager to take a leading role in driving Food Safety, Quality and Continuous Improvement across a busy manufacturing site.
This is a highly visible, factory-facing leadership position where you’ll have the opportunity to influence culture, challenge standards and make a genuine impact on product quality and site performance.
Working closely with Technical, Operations and Engineering, you’ll lead the Quality and Laboratory functions, strengthen processes and ensure products are safe, legal, compliant and right first time.
Quality Manager Key Responsibilities
* Deputise for the Technical Manager and provide strong leadership across Quality and Laboratory activities.
* Lead, coach and develop the Laboratory team, ensuring accurate, reliable and timely testing and reporting.
* Drive compliance with BRCGS, HACCP, customer standards and site Food Safety & Quality requirements.
* Own HACCP verification, validation and corrective/preventative action processes.
* Drive site-wide GMP standards, working with Operations and Engineering to improve audit performance.
* Lead investigations into customer complaints, OOS results and quality trends, ensuring robust Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and effective corrective actions.
* Support customer, certification and third-party audits, managing non-conformances through to successful closure.
* Build and champion a strong Food Safety & Quality culture, influencing colleagues at all levels.
* Ensure robust traceability processes are maintained and regularly tested.
* Support VACCP and TACCP activities and ensure agreed controls are consistently followed.
* Manage raw material and packaging supplier complaints, driving improvements in supplier performance.
* Provide Technical and Quality input into NPD and EPD projects.
* Identify opportunities to reduce waste, rework, product holds and disposal while improving overall site performance.
* Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable quality, operational and commercial benefits.
Quality Manager Key Measures
* First Time Quality
* Microbiological & Analytical OOS
* Customer Complaints & Supplier Performance
* GMP Performance & Audit Performance & Non-Conformances
* Rework, Waste & Disposal Reduction & Product Hold Reduction
Quality Manager What We’re Looking For
* Proven experience in a Quality, Technical or Food Safety role within food manufacturing.
* Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS and food safety standards.
* Experience managing internal, customer and external audits.
* Degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Microbiology, Food Technology or a related discipline.
* Strong RCA, problem-solving and continuous improvement skills.
* Confident leader with the ability to coach, influence and challenge at all levels.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
* Highly organised, commercially aware and passionate about getting things right first time.
* Laboratory experience would be advantageous.
* Flexibility to provide occasional weekend support when significant site issues arise.
Quality Manager Benefits
Salary up to £47k DOE, 23 days holidays plus BH, Mon to Fri, Pension, Training & Development Programe, Discounted or Free food, Free parking, Company events plus more
Why This Role?
This is more than a traditional Quality Manager position. You’ll be a key voice on site, working directly with senior Technical and operational teams to shape standards, improve performance and build a culture where quality is everyone's responsibility.
If you're an ambitious Quality professional who enjoys influencing change, solving problems and seeing your work make a tangible difference, this is an excellent opportunity to take your career to the next level.
PLEASE NOTE candidates must have full rights to work in the UK without sponsorship or PSW requirements