FSQ Lead in Birmingham

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Food Safety & Quality Lead to join our Taste & Nutrition Manufacturing facility in Gainsborough, a large-volume site producing coatings and ingredient solutions for key global customers. Reporting to the Plant Manager and working as part of the site leadership team, you will provide site leadership for Food Safety and Quality, ensuring high standards of safety, quality and compliance in line with Kerry Corporate Policies, with a matrix link to the FSQ Network Lead. You will lead a Quality team of 11 people, including 3 direct reports, driving a strong quality-first culture and continuous improvement across the site. This is a permanent, full-time, onsite role and includes occasional travel for training or team meetings.

Key responsibilities

• Food Safety
  • Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and Kerry Manufacturing Standards.
  • Lead site Food Safety and HACCP programs.
  • Ensure GMP, preventive controls, and prerequisite programs are implemented and effective.
  • Maintain GFSI certification.
  • Promote a Safety First, Quality Always culture across the site.
• Quality Systems
  • Manage and continuously improve Quality Assurance and Quality Control systems.
  • Develop, review, and maintain procedures aligned with Kerry Food Management Systems (KFMS) using Intelex.
  • Conduct internal audits to prevent non-conformances.
  • Oversee food safety systems, Good Laboratory Practices, sanitation programs, ERP quality controls, material control, and FSMA-compliant Food Safety Plans.
• Compliance and Audits
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory, customer, and Kerry standards.
  • Enforce ingredient specifications, product standards, process controls, formula compliance, sanitation, GMP, and pest control programs.
  • Support regulatory inspections and customer audits, including organic, kosher, and preserved products.
  • Ensure all released products are safe and compliant.
• Quality Improvement
  • Track, analyze, and report quality KPIs.
  • Support site Quality Improvement Plans and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Apply Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action methodologies.
  • Partner cross-functionally to drive process and quality improvements.
  • Support Kerry Production Stream through training and on-the-floor engagement.
• Customer Complaints
  • Lead investigation and resolution of customer complaints.
  • Ensure timely communication, root cause analysis, and implementation and verification of corrective and preventive actions.
• People Management
  • Lead, develop, and coach the Quality team.
  • Support recruitment, training, performance management, and succession planning.
  • Ensure team capability aligns with business needs.
  • Manage resources and budgets effectively.
• Technical Expertise
  • Maintain strong technical knowledge of products, processes, and manufacturing environments.
  • Apply scientific and statistical methods to data analysis and problem solving.
  • Act as the primary technical contact for customers, vendors, and regulatory authorities.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelors degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology or a related Science / Engineering discipline.
• Working knowledge of GFSI standards, such as SQF.
• Minimum 4 years experience in quality and/or food safety within a manufacturing environment.
• People management experience, with the ability to lead, develop and engage teams effectively.
• Proven experience managing food safety and quality systems.
• Plant-based manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Good understanding of food safety regulations, including FSMA, and awareness of industry and market trends.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and the opportunity for continuous learning and career development.
• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays).
• Health care.
• Matched pension scheme.
• Perkbox platform, offering discounts and offers with major retailers.
• Share scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you the opportunity to shape the future of food, while developing your career in a truly global environment.

Our Safety Purpose

At Kerry, we work together in a caring culture where everybody goes home safely every day. We are committed to providing a safe working environment and ensuring that all safety protocols are strictly followed. Join us in creating a workplace where safety is everyone's responsibility.