About the role 

The QA Manager is in charge of the quality function of the plant, in terms of day-to-day quality management, ensuring customer expectations are met, developing and driving improvement initiatives and ensuring quality is embedded in projects and new developments. 
The site & team are small but with big ambition and scope for expansion through growth.  It is essential that you can adapt to the needs of the business as is grows and you successfully take the QA function and team with you on that growth journey.

Key responsibilities

• Pro-active development, implementation and control of all aspects of the company Quality Documentation Systems (QDS), general health and safety and all matters relating to Food Safety and Food Hygiene.

• Co-ordinate and control all independent external & internal audits and inspections.
• Lead, coach and develop the operations team, enriching the quality culture and behaviours.

• Co-ordinates & control all aspects of the internal audits, to include supporting and managing this system through an internal audit schedule. Review and close off all raised non-conformances with relevant teams.
• A hands on approach, develop, co-ordinate and control of all aspects of the internal audit function and inspections. Co-ordinate and control all independent audits with external audit agencies or inspectorates, including but not limited to FSSC, Organic, Halal, Fairtrade, RFA, local council authorities and customer audits.
• Develop and maintain an effective HACCP System, to include the Pre-Requisite programme, to ensure the raw materials, processes and finished product is safe and fit for intended purpose.
• Ensure that all raw materials and finished products are tested against corporate and customer requirements through effective testing procedures, through the use of positive release system.
• Manage the site Pathogen and Environmental Monitoring (PEM), communicate, control and manage all food safety and quality activities and tasks, through a quality schedule.
• Review and manage all supplier and raw materials for the site and control all key documentation through a supplier approval, to include accreditation and technical specifications.
• Manage all product complaints, to ensure full communication with customers and internal elements as appropriate.  
• Management of Pest Control for site, to include review of external audits carried out by external service.

About you

• Formally trained in the principles of HACCP (Level 3)

• Master or Bachelor Degree in Food Science/Food Engineering or experience in a similar role

• Minimum of 3 years within Quality Management / Quality Lead

• Updating audit and customer platforms and portals

• Cross functional departmental team engagement

• Experience of Quality functions within a food industry

• Team focused & collaborative engagement

• Coaching & supportive

• Continuous improvement & change management

• Proactive, hands on approach

• Critical Thinking

• Builds capability of self, team and others

• Project management

• Drive to deliver

• Internal and external customer focus