Third Party Quality Lead

Location: Cumbernauld/Milton Keynes

Contract and working pattern: Hybrid, permanent

Are you ready to Be Your Best Barr None? Lets Grow!!! We are all about Being Your Best Barr None and having a career with real Moments that Matter! Employing around 950 people across the UK, we are proud to be a responsible business that takes care of our people, values diversity, gives something back to our communities and works to minimise our environmental impact. For 150 years AG Barr has been building great brands and is home to some of the nations favourite flavours.

What we’re looking for… As a Virtual Factory Quality Lead, you will protect brand integrity, drive world‑class food safety standards across third‑party manufacturers, and hold external suppliers to uncompromising quality and hygiene excellence. Your responsibilities will include:

• Partnering with external manufacturers to drive continuous improvement in food safety, GFSI/BRC quality systems, and hygiene standards.
• Investigating consumer complaints, analysing KPI trends, and executing root‑cause corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Coordinating and delivering the full product testing, monitoring, and audit schedules for all third‑party sites.
• Managing end‑to‑end incident response, including stock isolation, non‑conformance management, and stakeholder communications.
• Proactively refining VF systems, procedures, and equipment controls alongside the Group Quality Systems Manager.
• Tracking audit findings and site action plans to guarantee robust, timely closure.
• Deputising for the Virtual Factory Quality Manager and traveling across the UK/EU for site audits as needed.

What you’ll bring… The successful candidate will have:

• Quality management experience within an FMCG environment (ideally food and drink).
• Proven expertise in managing Quality Systems, conducting external site audits, and upholding BRC/GFSI standards.
• In-depth practical knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and relevant food safety regulatory frameworks.
• Strong influential leadership, communication, and cross‑functional team‑working skills.
• HNC or equivalent qualification in a relevant scientific discipline.

And it would also be great if you can demonstrate:

• Food microbiology knowledge and familiarity with industry‑standard micro‑testing methods/GLP.
• Direct experience within the soft drinks manufacturing sector.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (G Suite) tools and applications.

What we offer… We believe in creating a diverse and inclusive culture where your voice can be heard. Our skilled, loyal and committed people are critical to the future success of AG Barr which is why we are continually investing in our employees to develop their talent.

• Uncapped bonus linked to business performance
• Defined contribution Pension
• Up to 34 days holiday (depending on shift pattern)
• Flexible holiday trading
• Flexible cash pot to spend on benefits
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Flexible benefits e.g. discounts & cashbacks, gym memberships, technology purchases etc
• Life assurance
• Save as you earn scheme
• Staff sales discount
• Free AG Barr products throughout your working day and staff sales
• Annual salary review
• Ongoing professional development and access to Learning and Development programmes and content

And much more! To find out more about what it is like to work for AG Barr, please visit our careers platform. We are an equal opportunities employer and happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that may be needed for successful candidates with a disability, health or mental health condition. While we have highlighted our ideal requirements for this role, we are realistic that the successful candidate probably won't meet every single requirement in this advert, but we are big advocates of people growing in role. So even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to submit an application - you may be just what we are looking for!