Job description

We are seeking an experienced QA Manager to join a busy food manufacturing site. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that products, processes and systems consistently meet food safety, quality and legal requirements, while leading and developing a team of QA professionals and QA Supervisors.

About the Business

Our client is a well-established food manufacturer supplying a diverse range of high-quality products to major UK retailers and foodservice customers. The business has a strong focus on food safety, product quality, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

Location: North East England

Key Responsibilities

Communicate quality issues, technical updates and changes to standards effectively across all departments.
Maintain high standards of food safety while driving continuous improvements in manufacturing standards and process compliance.
Manage concession and non-conformance systems, ensuring appropriate corrective and preventative actions are implemented both internally and with suppliers.
Lead and coordinate customer complaint investigations, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions are completed effectively and within agreed timescales.
Liaise with customers, suppliers and external service providers on technical and quality-related matters.
Coordinate technical activities and ensure the site remains fully prepared for internal, customer and third-party audits.
Lead, manage and develop a team of QA professionals and QA Supervisors.
Review quality issues within the QA function and wider business, ensuring actions are clearly identified, assigned and followed through to completion.
Establish and maintain effective communication channels between the Quality/Technical team and other departments.
Coordinate and support internal, customer and external audits as required.
Challenge, develop and maintain robust controls, procedures and working practices to ensure consistent compliance with technical standards.
Monitor site standards and support the achievement and ongoing maintenance of recognised food safety certification.
Facilitate the implementation of effective systems and working practices across the site.
Promote a strong culture of food safety, quality, compliance and continuous improvement.

Experience Required

Strong technical experience within a food manufacturing environment.
Previous experience managing, supervising or leading a QA/Technical team.
Experience working with major UK retailers or within a retail-supplied food manufacturing environment.
Good understanding of food safety, HACCP, quality systems and technical standards.
Experience managing non-conformances, corrective actions, complaints and audits.

Qualifications

Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene.
Hygiene and Chemical Awareness training.
Level 3 HACCP.

Key Skills

Strong planning, organisation and project management skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels of seniority.
Confident presentation and influencing skills.
Strong problem-solving ability and a solutions-focused approach.
Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel and Word.
Self-motivated and proactive approach.
Flexible attitude and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, team-focused approach.
Ability to challenge effectively while maintaining positive working relationships