Job description

Job Title: Quality Group Leader

Location: Dorset

Salary: £38,000 – £40,000

Shift Pattern: 3 on / 3 off, 6:00am – 6:00pm

Reports to: Technical Manager

Purpose of the Role

To lead a small quality team and ensure compliance with food safety, customer, and certification standards. The role supports continuous improvement initiatives and maintains robust due diligence across site operations.

Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Carry out food safety risk assessments.
Manage validation activities including CCP, allergen cleaning, vegan cleaning, and prerequisite validations in line with customer and regulatory standards. Develop validation schedules, conduct validations and verifications, and coach team members in correct execution.
Review and maintain cleaning instructions to ensure correct methods are followed and standards are achieved.
Support the HACCP team as required.
Coordinate product and environmental sampling.
Prepare governance reports and supporting documentation.
Conduct internal audits including quality systems, fabrication, CCPs, GMP, traceability, and mass balance audits in line with the audit schedule.
Analyse non-conformance trends and work cross-functionally to implement corrective and preventative actions addressing root causes. Ensure timely closure of actions.
Ensure CCP personnel are trained to current procedures and that production records are completed to standard.
Maintain audit templates and procedures and provide coaching to internal auditors.
Support the Technical Manager in maintaining a constant state of audit readiness.
Manage pest control compliance, review contractor reports, and coordinate corrective actions.
Coordinate certification audits and provide relevant site training.
Supervise Quality Control Technicians covering intake checks, complaints handling, and export documentation as delegated.
Deliver training and on-the-job coaching. Provide operational cover when required.
Manage team HR processes including development plans, reviews, absence management, and performance matters with HR support.
Maintain internal raw material specifications, approved supplier documentation, traceability lists, and intake records. Oversee sampling and laboratory submissions.
Lead investigations into customer complaints.
Manage export documentation linked to traceability.
Assess and manage product concessions, including risk assessments and trend analysis to reduce recurrence.
Conduct gap analyses and improvement planning.
Verify packaging artwork against approved standards and maintain reference samples.
Oversee inline packaging verification systems.
Act as subject matter expert for CCP equipment including metal detection, X-ray, coding systems, and check weighing.
Maintain factory standards to ensure continuous audit readiness.
Develop KPI and performance reports as required.
Conduct traceability exercises and investigations.
Support procedural reviews and system updates.
Undertake ad hoc projects aligned with business needs.
Deputise for the Technical Manager when required.
Provide hands-on support within the quality team during operational needs.

Experience

Minimum 5 years’ experience within the food industry
Experience working with quality management systems
Practical knowledge of GMP and quality assurance principles
Validation design and implementation
Traceability systems
Internal auditing and gap analysis
Experience managing a small team is desirable
Understanding of food information regulations and customer portals
Food-related qualification or relevant degree
HACCP Level 2
Food Safety Level 3

Key Skills

Strong organisational and administrative ability
Deadline-driven with effective time management
Analytical and problem-solving skills
People management capability
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Clear written and verbal communication
Positive and proactive approach
Continuous improvement mindset
Ability to engage effectively with colleagues at all levels
Professional integrity

If you are interested in this position, please forward your CV to jack.thomson@drnewitt.com, or call Jack on 0131 226 5060.