Quality Assurance Manager in Knowsley

Location: Applied Nutrition, Knowsley, L33 7UG

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Salary: Competitive (DOE)

Reporting To: NPD Manager

Overview

Applied Nutrition is the UK’s fastest-growing sports and active nutrition company, formulating and manufacturing a wide range of supplements, functional foods, and health and wellbeing products. With continued growth across the UK and international markets, we are looking to recruit an experienced Quality Manager to lead quality standards across our production facility. This is a key role responsible for ensuring all products are manufactured to the highest possible standards, maintaining compliance with food safety and quality systems, and driving continuous improvement across the factory.

Key Responsibilities

• Quality & Compliance
  • Lead and manage the site Quality Management System (QMS) ensuring compliance with internal standards and all relevant legislation.
  • Ensure all products meet required safety, quality, and regulatory requirements (including GMP / HACCP / BRC or equivalent standards where applicable).
  • Own and maintain site policies, procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent quality standards.
  • Ensure full traceability and adherence to product specifications throughout the manufacturing process.
• Audits & Inspections
  • Prepare for and lead internal and external audits (e.g., customer audits, certification audits, supplier audits).
  • Manage corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), ensuring issues are investigated, documented, and closed within target timelines.
  • Conduct regular factory walk-throughs and hygiene/quality inspections, driving actions through to completion.
• Quality Control & Testing
  • Oversee incoming goods checks, in-process quality control, and finished product release procedures.
  • Ensure appropriate sampling and testing is carried out (microbiological, chemical, and organoleptic where required).
  • Manage non-conforming products, deviations, and quarantine processes in line with site procedures.
• Team Leadership & Training
  • Lead, manage, and develop the Quality team (QC/QA) across shifts where applicable.
  • Deliver and support training for site staff on quality procedures, hygiene, GMP, allergens, and food safety requirements.
  • Promote a “right first time” culture and embed quality ownership across production teams.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities using quality data and KPIs.
  • Work closely with Production, NPD, Supply Chain, and Warehouse teams to reduce waste and improve product consistency.
  • Support product launches and improvements by ensuring quality standards are met from concept through to production.
• Customer & Complaint Management
  • Lead the investigation and response to customer complaints, ensuring corrective actions are implemented effectively.
  • Support the management of product incidents, withdrawals, or recalls where required (including trace exercises).

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in a Quality Manager role within a food, drink, FMCG, supplements, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and food safety systems.
• Experience managing audits, non-conformances, CAPA, and continuous improvement activity.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence and challenge standards at all levels.
• Strong attention to detail with a structured and proactive approach.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Excellent organisational and reporting skills, including confidence using quality documentation and KPIs.

Desirable

• Formal qualification in Food Safety / Quality / Science (e.g., Level 4 HACCP, Food Science, Microbiology).
• Experience working to BRCGS, ISO 9001, ISO 22000, or similar standards.
• Previous experience in high-volume manufacturing or regulated environments.
• Familiarity with allergen management, labelling compliance, and specification systems.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Supportive and energetic team environment
• 50% discount on all products
• Free nutrition products in the office/facility
• On-site parking
• Company pension
• Company events
• Discounted Gym membership