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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food safety and quality processes, ensuring compliance and excellence in product standards.
- Company: Join Kepak, a top European food company with a focus on sustainability and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days annual leave, employee discounts, free lunches, and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety while working in a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science or related field, HACCP certification, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values responsibility, ambition, and passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Kepak is one of Europe’s leading food companies, with manufacturing sites across Ireland and the UK. Kepak’s vision is to be a successful, sustainable, future-ready Food Business with differentiation at its core that is a great place to work. This vision is underpinned by our values of Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and teamwork. Kepak Meat Division UK operates across 3 manufacturing sites with 2,000 employees, producing a range of quality meat and protein-based food products for retail and foodservice customers. The division focuses on providing exceptional service and value to our stakeholders.
ROLE STRUCTURE:
- Reports to: Head of Food Safety and Quality (Primary)
- Direct Reports: 2 to 3
ROLE PURPOSE:
- Leads the site Food Safety and Quality team in managing all food safety and quality processes, ensuring all products meet regulatory, customer, and internal standards with a focus on food safety excellence.
- Responsible for food safety compliance at the site, working alongside the operational and wider teams to promote a culture of compliance across all departments, protect brand reputation while delivering consistent product quality.
- As a senior manager, the Food Safety and Quality Manager is responsible for the health, safety and wellbeing of their team and is expected to lead by example in promoting a culture of positive and inclusive employee engagement.
- Permanent full-time contract working Monday to Friday.
ROLE CORE VALUES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Ensure full compliance with health and safety policies and procedures.
- Promote a culture of safety-first across the Food Safety and Quality team and wider site teams.
- Oversee adherence to H&S metrics and collaborate with H&S manager to evolve standards in line with food safety standards.
Food Safety and Quality Management
- Lead the Food Safety and Quality team in developing and managing robust food safety and quality systems at the site.
- Lead the implementation of site food safety and compliance programs to align with HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, BRCGS, and customer standards.
- Support the evaluation and implementation of new equipment to align with food safety, quality, and operational goals.
- Lead commissioning processes to ensure seamless integration into production and drive measurable performance improvements.
Food Safety and Quality Compliance
- Keep up to date with customer, regulatory, and third-party standards, ensuring full compliance and readiness for audits at all times.
- Establish and maintain regular management meetings with the site management team, setting clear performance expectations and monitoring progress towards key objectives.
- Ensure that all products consistently meet customer specifications, addressing any gaps proactively.
- Provide strategic direction for the development and implementation of technical and operational SOPs, embedding food safety compliance throughout operational and quality control frameworks.
Animal Welfare and Legal Compliance
- Oversee and ensure compliance with animal welfare standards and ethical sourcing policies.
- Oversee internal and external Animal Welfare audits and liaise with internal bodies on welfare matters.
Budget Management
- Accountable for managing the site\’s Food Safety and Quality resource plan and budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources to support the delivery of food safety and quality standards.
- Prepares and approves site FS&Q budget with the site manager and site financial controller, and monitors all FS&Q expenses in line with budget.
- Liaises with Head of Food Safety and Compliance to understand cost implications of customer and regulatory changes and incorporate into site budget and resource plans.
Ambition
Food Safety Excellence
- Drive continuous improvement in quality systems and site food safety standards.
- Monitor site food safety performance and share insights and trends to identify areas for improvement.
- Keep informed of industry best practices and regulatory changes and communicate to site teams.
- Keep up to date on digital technology to enhance and streamline food safety processes.
Business Continuity and Risk Management
- Proactively identify and mitigate food safety risks across the site, escalating serious issues in a timely manner.
- In conjunction with the site management team, develop and implement robust business continuity plans across sites.
- In conjunction with the IT team, develop and implement appropriate and adequate cyber security risk management plans.
Audits & Inspections
- Ensure the site is always audit-ready from a food safety and quality perspective in terms of documentation and record management, and compliance with the Kepak audit standard.
- Lead preparation and response for customer, third-party, and regulatory audits.
- Lead the Food Safety and Quality team on-site during internal and third-party audits.
- Oversee the investigation and successful resolution of all non-conformances and seek to proactively develop solutions.
Food Safety Training Compliance
Ensure all team members are trained and competent in food safety and quality procedures.
In conjunction with the HR team, monitor food safety training compliance across the site.
Teamwork
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Build and maintain positive and professional relationships with site teams, including operations, engineering, NPD, procurement, purchasing and commercial teams, to educate and embed food safety and quality compliance into all processes.
- Collaborate with wider business and support functions as required to deliver on overall food safety and site objectives.
External Stakeholder Management
- Lead engagement at the site on food safety and quality matters with key external stakeholders, including auditors, customers and regulatory bodies and maintain the highest level of professionalism.
People & Culture
- Embodies the company values by promoting an inclusive, respectful and high-performing culture focused on employee health, safety and wellbeing.
- Lead and mentor the Food Safety team through the Enhancing Performance process, setting meaningful development goals to support high-performing teams, including career progression.
- Partner with the HR and L&D teams to develop and deliver a people plan that is aligned with and complements the group\’s people strategy.
ROLE DELIVERABLES
- Food safety and quality compliance
- Animal Welfare and legal compliance
- Health and safety compliance
- Validation and risk compliance
- Continuous improvement deliverables
- People metrics (training & development, engagement, retention)
CRITICAL INTERFACES
Internal Stakeholders: Food Safety & Quality Team (site and divisional), FSQ Project Manager, Site Management, Operations, Engineering, Livestock Procurement, NPD, Commercial, HR, L&D, Finance, IT
External Stakeholders: Regulatory Authorities (e.g., FSA, FSS), Retailer Technical Teams & Auditors, Third-Party Certification Bodies (e.g., BRCGS), Suppliers
ROLE QUALIFICATION & SKILLS
- Qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline
- Level 4 HACCP certification (required)
- Auditing experience required
- Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, GMP, TACCP, VACCP, and UK/EU food safety regulations
- Experience in managing audits and liaising with external stakeholders
- Proven track record in food safety compliance and quality systems management
- Knowledge of animal welfare standards
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
ROLE LEVEL:
Operating at Lead Others level, this role requires a strong role model for Kepak values of Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and Teamwork.
- 31 days annual leave (after probation)
- Employee Discount platform
- FREE access to Employee Assistance Program (Includes Free legal advice,counselling and mental health advice and a 24 hour help and advice line)
- Pension plan
- Death in Service benefit for all employees in the pension scheme
- Christmas hamper
- Earn up to £500 with our refer a friend scheme
- On-site parking
- Cycle to work scheme
- Subsidised Canteen
- Free Lunch Once a Month
- Free hot drinks all day
- Employee engagement activities
- Long Service Awards
- Ongoing Training and Development in the role
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Food Safety and Quality Manager (Primary) employer: Kepak Group
Contact Detail:
Kepak Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Safety and Quality Manager (Primary)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food safety and quality sector, especially those at Kepak. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, and other relevant standards. Show us you’re not just a candidate, but a passionate expert ready to lead!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills! We want to see how you’ve motivated teams in the past and how you plan to promote a culture of compliance at Kepak.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Kepak.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Safety and Quality Manager (Primary)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Food Safety and Quality Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in food safety compliance and quality systems management. We want to see how your skills align with our values of Responsibility and Ambition!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food safety and quality. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or improved processes in previous roles. Remember, we love a good story that showcases your passion for food!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior manager, we’re looking for someone who can lead by example. In your application, highlight your leadership experiences and how you've fostered a culture of safety and teamwork in past positions. We want to know how you can inspire others at Kepak!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Kepak, where we value ambition and passion for food!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kepak Group
✨Know Your Food Safety Standards
Make sure you brush up on the latest food safety regulations and standards like HACCP, BRCGS, and others mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with them but also passionate about maintaining high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Food Safety and Quality Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your ability to promote a culture of safety and compliance. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved team performance or engagement.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific food safety challenges or compliance issues. Think through potential scenarios and how you would address them, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and proactive approach to risk management.
✨Engage with the Company Values
Kepak values Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and Teamwork. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with these. Share stories that illustrate your commitment to these principles, especially in relation to food safety and quality.
