At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food safety systems and ensure high-quality standards in seafood production.
- Company: Join New England Seafood International, a leader in sustainable seafood.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension contributions, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety and quality in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science and experience in food safety management required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
New England Seafood International (NESI) was established in 1991 and is an importer and processor of premium fresh and frozen sustainable fish and seafood. NESI employs circa 850 people across three sites in the UK and imports a wide range of wild and farmed fish and shellfish from all around the world. Our vision is to “show people how to enjoy fish every day” and we pride ourselves on our supply chain integrity, sustainable sourcing and high-quality product. Our values run through our business and are Respect, Customer Care, By Learning We Grow, Team Spirit and Integrity.
The QA Manager (Retail & Food Service) is responsible for ensuring all food manufactured on site is safe, legal, and meets agreed quality standards. The role supports delivery of the Technical Strategy and business objectives by leading food safety systems, managing risk, supporting audits, and developing the Quality Assurance team while driving a strong food safety culture across the factory.
Role & Responsibilities
- Incidents & Crisis Management
- Proactively identify and escalate any potential or actual food safety, legality, integrity, or quality risks to the Technical Manager.
- Support the Technical Manager during incidents, withdrawals, recalls, or crisis situations.
- Lead and manage incident test scenarios, including planning, execution, and review.
- Technical Strategy & Business Alignment
- Support the alignment of site objectives with the Technical and Business Strategies.
- Contribute to personal development plans (PDPs) aligned with business goals.
- External Audits & Stakeholder Engagement
- Approve traceability documentation used during audits.
- Present traceability audit results to external auditors.
- Ensure factory data and documentation are accurate and audit-ready prior to external visits.
- Support site management teams during external audits, customer visits, and regulatory inspections.
- Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS)
- Act as an active member of the HACCP and TACCP teams.
- Ensure HACCP, CCPs, QCPs, and OPRPs are validated, verified, and reviewed as planned.
- Support and update risk assessments and HACCP checklists relevant to factory operations.
- Quality Assurance & Product Release
- Ensure all products released from site meet customer specifications (brand, own label, and food service).
- Implement and manage positive release systems where required.
- QMS & CMS Maintenance
- Ensure controlled documents are correctly issued, implemented, maintained, and updated in line with amendments.
- Ensure site compliance with legal requirements, Codes of Practice, and industry standards, implementing changes via SOP or process updates.
- Investigations & Root Cause Analysis
- Lead or support investigations into food safety, legality, and quality issues, including contamination, hygiene failures, process deviations, and audit non-conformances.
- Ensure robust root cause analysis and effective corrective and preventive actions.
- Traceability
- Verify and confirm end-to-end traceability on a daily basis, including factory start-up checks.
- Close out non-conformances promptly and escalate serious breaches to the Technical Manager.
- Training & Competency
- Act as a subject matter expert, owning and delegating internal food safety training (e.g. HACCP, CCPs, OPRPs, internal auditing).
- Ensure training delivery supports compliance and continuous improvement.
- KPI & Performance Reporting
- Maintain departmental KPIs and objectively challenge factory performance at site management meetings.
- Escalate sustained poor performance or emerging risks to the Technical Manager.
- People Management
- Line management responsibility for site QA team, including holiday scheduling, performance reviews, and objective setting.
- Support the development of QA team competencies and capability to deliver the technical business plan.
- Food Safety Culture
- Drive and support food safety culture initiatives across site.
- Ensure weekly trend analysis is completed, communicated, and demonstrates measurable cultural improvement.
- Complaints Management
- Support investigation of customer complaints through cross-functional root cause analysis.
- Escalate adverse complaints to Tier 3 (T3) discussions as required.
- Continuous Improvement (CI)
- Support CI projects linked to traceability, documentation, and ways of working.
- Participate in working groups to implement regulatory or system improvements.
- NPD & Change Management
- Support new and existing product development, focusing on factory readiness (quality, equipment, and processes).
- Attend NPD meetings and drive action completion ahead of launch.
- Provide final approval of revised Quality Attribute Sheets (QAS).
- Confirm and implement sampling plans to validate technical processes during commissioning or change management activities.
- Flexibility & Other Duties
- Maintain flexibility to support new systems, ideas, and initiatives implemented across the business.
- Provide full support to site and technical teams as required.
What experiences, knowledge and capabilities do I need to demonstrate?
- A degree or equivalent in a Food Science or related discipline.
- Proven experience managing and developing a team – delivering training.
- Experience within the food industry, must include high risk RRTE practices, food safety, food safety culture.
- Experience within a FMCG environment.
- Retail Manufacturing standards experience – specifically M&S.
- Working knowledge of technical management systems.
- Sound organizational skills.
- Ability to analyze data and support in the formulation of action plans.
- Ability to drive increased technical compliance through a coaching and development style.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday plus bank holiday.
- Pension: 5% employee / 3% employer contribution.
- Life insurance (3x annual salary).
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
- Discount and benefits platform.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Sports & Social fund.
- Staff sales.
Quality Assurance Manager employer: New England Seafood
New England Seafood International is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises respect, teamwork, and continuous learning. Located in Chessington, Surrey, employees benefit from a comprehensive package including 25 days of holiday, a generous pension scheme, and opportunities for personal development within a sustainable and innovative seafood processing environment. Join us to be part of a company that values integrity and fosters a strong food safety culture while supporting your career growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Assurance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those who work at New England Seafood International. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the company culture and what they really value.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of food safety systems and quality assurance practices. Be ready to discuss how you've handled similar challenges in the past and how you can contribute to NESI's mission of sustainable sourcing.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for seafood and sustainability during your conversations. Share your thoughts on how you can help drive a strong food safety culture at NESI. This will demonstrate that you're not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about their vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at NESI and are keen to be part of their journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Assurance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the QA Manager role. Highlight your experience in food safety, team management, and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your background aligns with our values and the specific requirements of the job.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about food safety and quality assurance. Share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in previous roles, and don’t forget to mention your alignment with our vision and values.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, like improvements in compliance rates or successful audit outcomes. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at New England Seafood
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety standards and quality assurance processes. Familiarise yourself with HACCP, CCPs, and the specific practices relevant to high-risk food environments. This will show that you're not just a candidate, but someone who understands the industry inside out.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a QA Manager, you'll be leading a team, so be prepared to discuss your experience in managing and developing teams. Share specific examples of how you've delivered training or improved team performance. This will demonstrate your capability to drive a strong food safety culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face questions about crisis management and incident handling. Think of real-life examples where you've successfully navigated food safety issues or audits. Being able to articulate your thought process during these situations will highlight your problem-solving skills.
✨Align with Their Values
New England Seafood International values respect, customer care, and integrity. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Share stories that reflect these values in action, whether it's through teamwork or commitment to quality, to show you're a great cultural fit.
