Quality Assurance Manager in Chester

Responsible for the day-to-day management of the quality assurance team to ensure all products are manufactured safely and meet or exceed customer specifications.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities:

• Support the site actively in the preparation of and during Customer or Third-Party Audits.
• Manage, motivate and develop a team of Quality Assurance personnel, who will audit the Quality Systems according to a defined schedule.
• Identify training needs within the team and manage performance.
• Ensure that all technical policies and procedures are adhered to within the manufacturing environment and review compliance.
• Ensure that CCP are monitored and verified.
• Ensure Technical Systems are adequately monitored so that documentary evidence can be provided to support a “due diligence” defence in the event of a food safety or quality issue.
• Ensure all agreed testing schedules are adhered to e.g., raw materials, finished products, environment, taste panel and lab samples.
• Confirm calibration schedule is maintained and appropriate corrective action is taken where required.
• Attend customer panels as required.
• Form part of the internal audit team.
• Support when required the planning and maintenance of the validation schedule.
• Manage process deviations e.g., concessions and incidents.
• Analyze laboratory results, understand data and report to business as appropriate.
• Identify trends and out of spec results and drive appropriate corrective actions.
• Aid with the investigation of customer complaints, trending, and communication of these investigations to customers as appropriate.
• Review contractor/service provider platforms e.g., pest control and ensure outstanding recommendations are closed out in a timely manner, trend results on a quarterly basis and escalate any issues to relevant departmental manager.
• Aid in the delivery of technical projects as required by the business and/or appropriate for personal development.
• Liaise with Supplier Assurance Manager to maintain the raw material supplier non-conformance system. Verify that appropriate corrective actions have been taken by the supplier to close off any non-conformances raised.

Key Attributes:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels.
• Pragmatic approach to problem solving & decision making.
• Planning & Organizational skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as alone.
• Collaborative approach.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• HACCP Level 3 - Essential.
• HACCP Level 4 and Food Safety Level 4 desirable.
• Degree/HND in food-related discipline.
• Chilled Food Manufacturing background – chilled ready meals experience essential – minimum of 3 years’ experience.
• Management of small team of people.
• Good knowledge of Validation & Verification.
• Ability to write reports & analyze data.
• Internal Auditing Qualification (Lead Auditor or similar).
• Sound knowledge of BRC & interpreting customer policies.
• Liaising with customers.

Please note: This job description outlines the core responsibilities and duties of the role. It is not an exhaustive list, and the role may evolve over time to include additional tasks and responsibilities in line with business needs.