QC Manager

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious quality professional to join a well-established fresh produce business and play a key role in maintaining the highest standards of product quality, customer satisfaction, and compliance across the operation.

Working closely with the senior leadership and technical teams, you'll take ownership of quality processes while leading and developing a large QC team. You'll be responsible for ensuring customer requirements are consistently met, supporting audit readiness, maintaining product standards, and driving continuous improvement throughout the quality function.

This role would suit an experienced QC Manager or an ambitious Assistant QC Manager looking to take the next step in their career. You'll have the opportunity to manage a sizeable team, influence quality standards across the business, and become an integral part of a company that is investing in its future with the development of a new site.

What you'll be doing

• Leading, managing, and developing a team of approximately 30 Quality Controllers
• Supporting and coaching team members as they progress through grading and quality assessment requirements
• Managing day-to-day quality processes to ensure products consistently meet customer specifications
• Overseeing customer requirements, retailer specifications, and quality standards across the site
• Reviewing and approving product labels to ensure compliance and accuracy
• Managing customer samples and ensuring timely responses to customer requests
• Working closely with customers and internal stakeholders to maintain confidence in product quality and service levels
• Supporting internal, customer, and third-party audits, ensuring the site remains audit-ready at all times
• Assisting with audit preparation and corrective action implementation
• Monitoring quality performance and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
• Managing quality-related documentation and administrative processes, including invoicing responsibilities
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and legal requirements
• Working collaboratively with operational teams to drive standards and resolve quality issues
• Promoting a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the business

What we're looking for

We're looking for a motivated and hands-on quality professional with experience within fresh produce who can thrive in a fast-paced environment. You'll be comfortable leading teams, managing customer expectations, and maintaining high standards while balancing the day-to-day demands of a busy operation.

The ideal candidate will have experience within a quality or technical function in fresh produce and possess a strong understanding of customer requirements, quality systems, and audit standards.

Ideally, you'll have:

• Previous experience as a QA Manager, Assistant QA Manager, Quality Supervisor, or similar quality-focused role
• Experience within Fresh Produce, Fruit, Soft Fruit, or Top Fruit environments
• A strong understanding of BRCGS standards and food safety compliance
• Experience supporting or leading audits and maintaining audit readiness
• Knowledge of customer specifications and retailer requirements
• Experience managing or supervising quality teams
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, operational environment
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach to problem-solving
• Excellent attention to detail and a passion for delivering high standards
• The ambition and capability to develop within a growing business

What's in it for you?

• Opportunity to manage a large team of approximately 30 Quality Controllers
• Genuine career progression opportunities within a growing business
• Exposure to a broad range of quality, customer, and audit responsibilities
• The opportunity to play a key role as the business develops its new site
• Supportive management team and collaborative working environment
• Additional benefits to be discussed during the recruitment process

Working Hours

• Tuesday to Saturday
• Typically 7:00am - 7:00pm, depending on operational requirements
• Peak season hours may increase to approximately 50-53 hours per week
• Peak periods include Summer and Christmas, with quieter periods during the off-season

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