Quality Manager in Middleton

If you are ambitious, self-motivated, hardworking and a team player and interested in growing your career with an International FMCG business, please read through our job opportunity. An opportunity has arisen for a Quality Manager at our Middleton site to lead the site quality function, ensuring compliance with UK/EU regulatory standards, customer requirements, and corporate policies. The Quality Manager will drive continuous improvement in product quality, hygiene, and assurance systems, safeguarding the integrity of the plant manufacturing processes and supporting divisional quality objectives and strategy. The role proactively drives and supports the Site Leadership Team to operate in compliance with the Quality Management System across functional areas ensuring standards and processes are fully deployed and understood at all levels of the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Sets the Quality Strategy for the Site, deploying the Group and Divisional Quality Vision and Framework.
• Lead in designing and aligning the Site Quality Improvement Program. Collaborates with Divisional Quality team to agree the Divisional Framework and Processes for Quality Improvement in Liquids.
• Develop, implement, and maintain site quality management systems aligned with divisional and corporate standards.
• Ensure compliance with UK/EU chemical industry regulations (e.g., REACH, CLP, GMP, ISO standards).
• Lead and manage direct reports (QA Specialist, Hygiene Specialist, QC Supervisor), fostering a high-performance culture.
• Oversee quality control operations, including all testing, product release, and documentation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in quality assurance, hygiene, and manufacturing practices.
• Act as the primary contact for customer audits, regulatory inspections, and certification processes.
• Monitor and report on quality KPIs, ensuring alignment with divisional objectives.
• Collaborate with production, supply chain, and HS&E teams to embed quality into all plant processes.
• Investigate quality incidents, lead root cause analysis, and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Drive continuous improvement in Plant Hygiene management practices.
• Monitor change in plant, processes and people and assess potential impacts on product quality and standards.
• Develop talent, empower and mentor colleagues within the team to identify their training and development needs and provide the required support for personal development, in line with the strategy.

Key Result Areas:

• Regulatory & Standards Compliance: Zero major non-conformances in audits and inspections.
• Product Quality: Consistent achievement of customer specifications and internal standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Implementation of measurable improvements in quality systems and hygiene practices.
• Team Leadership: Effective management and development of QA, QC, and hygiene staff.
• Customer Satisfaction: Positive audit outcomes and reduced customer complaints.
• Risk Management: Timely resolution of quality issues and prevention of recurrence.
• Operational Integration: Quality embedded into production and supply chain processes.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Self Management: Drive for Excellence – Sets high standards and pursues continuous improvement. Technical Expertise and Professionalism – Upholds industry best practices and ethical standards.
• Interaction: Collaborative Team Working – Promotes cross-functional cooperation. Effective Communication – Clear, concise, and persuasive across all levels.
• Information: Problem Analysis – Identifies root causes and develops effective solutions. Decision Making and Judgement – Balances risk and opportunity in quality contexts.
• Problem Solving: Initiative and Taking Ownership – Proactively drives improvements in quality performance. Business Focus – Aligns plant quality outcomes with divisional and corporate goals.
• Organisation: Planning and Organising – Structures resources for maximum efficiency.
• People Management: Coaching for Performance – Develops talent and builds capability in QA, QC, and hygiene teams. Coaches wider plant organisation in Quality Management Systems.

Technical Competencies:

• An advanced understanding of chemical industry regulations and compliance requirements; laboratory testing and quality control; mastery of QMS frameworks and ability to lead certification processes; regulatory compliance (REACH, CLP, EU directives); ability to oversee QC operations and interpret analytical data; root cause analysis and corrective action; skilled in structured problem-solving methodologies and hygiene and contamination control.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, GMP); hygiene standards and best practices in chemical manufacturing; customer and Regulatory Audits; application of CI tools to quality processes; data analysis and reporting.
• Experienced in managing external audits and inspections and continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma).

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