At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food safety and quality initiatives in a fast-paced production environment.
- Company: Join Pilgrim's Europe, a leader in the food industry with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, development opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to producing high-quality food enjoyed by millions.
- Why this job: Protect food safety and quality while leading a skilled team in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing, HACCP knowledge, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Department: Technical
Location: Ballymena
Direct Reports: QA Auditors
About the Role
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Food Safety & Quality Manager to lead food safety, quality and compliance activity within our production environment at Pilgrim's Europe, Ballymena. This is a key technical leadership role, responsible for ensuring products consistently meet customer, legal and company requirements, while driving strong performance against food safety and quality KPIs. You will lead quality systems, support new product development, manage audits and develop the QA team to deliver best-in-class food safety and quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, maintain and continuously improve a HACCP-based Quality Management System, ensuring full due diligence and compliance
- Coordinate and lead HACCP team activities
- Ensure compliance with BRC, customer, third-party and legislative requirements
- Support NPD and process development through specifications, artwork verification, shelf-life, reference samples and use-by schedules
- Monitor cleaning, hygiene and housekeeping standards through factory audits, trend analysis and action planning
- Manage corrective actions and control of non-conforming ingredients and finished product, including holds, rejects and returns
- Oversee microbiological, shelf-life and chemical testing programmes, identifying trends and driving corrective and preventative actions
- Manage customer complaints, investigations, serious incidents and follow-up actions
- Develop, maintain and test the site Crisis Management System
- Maintain site accreditations and implement additional standards required by customers or industry best practice
- Produce daily, weekly and monthly quality KPI reporting for operations teams
- Provide insight-led information to support problem-solving and continuous improvement
- Liaise with customers and statutory bodies during audits and site visits, ensuring effective responses and close-out of actions
- Lead, coach and develop QA Auditors in line with Pilgrim's Europe standards and expectations
- Promote a culture of engagement, accountability and effective communication
- Support training and development to build capability and resilience within the team
- Manage performance, attendance and appraisals in line with company requirements
- Lead by example in Health & Safety compliance and safe systems of work
- Ensure COSHH assessments, risk assessments, training and incident investigations are completed and actioned
- Maintain high standards of hygiene and housekeeping across all areas
- Actively work to reduce environmental impact through waste, energy and carbon-reduction initiatives
What We're Looking For
- Experience in a technical or quality leadership role within FMCG food manufacturing
- Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRC standards, food legislation and food hygiene
- Auditing experience with strong report-writing capability
- Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder-management skills
- Proven people leadership and development experience
- Third-level qualification in a relevant discipline
- Advanced Diploma in Applied HACCP
- Advanced Food Hygiene qualification
- Project management or continuous improvement experience
- Experience working directly with customers, auditors and regulatory bodies
Values & Behaviours
Demonstrates ownership, integrity and determination, working collaboratively with discipline and humility to deliver practical results.
Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?
- Play a critical role in protecting food safety, quality and brand reputation
- Work in a technically challenging, fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Lead and develop a skilled Quality team
- Drive real, measurable improvements through continuous improvement
- Competitive reward package and development opportunities within a leading European food business
Interested? If you're passionate about food safety, quality excellence and leading teams to deliver consistently high standards, we would welcome your application.
Food Safety & Quality Manager JBLE1_NI in Ballymena employer: Pilgrims Europe
At Pilgrim's Europe, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Ballymena where food safety and quality are at the forefront of our operations. Our commitment to employee development is evident through continuous training opportunities and a culture that promotes engagement and accountability. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a competitive rewards package and the chance to lead a skilled team in a fast-paced, innovative food manufacturing setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Safety & Quality Manager JBLE1_NI in Ballymena
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend food safety and quality events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Pilgrim's Europe and their values. Understand their commitment to food safety and quality, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you're not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they stand for.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering behavioural questions. Think of specific situations where you've demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, or compliance in food safety. This will help you articulate your experiences clearly and confidently during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role and highlighting a key point from your conversation can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the team at Pilgrim's Europe.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Safety & Quality Manager JBLE1_NI in Ballymena
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Food Safety & Quality Manager role. Highlight your experience with HACCP, BRC standards, and any relevant leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food safety and quality. Share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in previous roles. We love hearing your story!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements. Did you lead a successful audit? Implement a new quality system? Quantify your successes where possible. This helps us see the impact you've made in your previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our careers page! It's the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at Pilgrim's Europe. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrims Europe
✨Know Your HACCP Inside Out
As a Food Safety & Quality Manager, you'll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of HACCP principles. Brush up on your knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've implemented these systems in previous roles. Think about specific examples where you improved food safety standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team of QA Auditors, so be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share experiences where you've successfully developed team members or managed performance issues. Highlight your ability to foster a culture of accountability and engagement.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to BRC standards, food legislation, and auditing processes. Familiarise yourself with the latest updates in food safety regulations and be ready to explain how you would ensure compliance within the production environment.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
You'll need to provide insight-led information to support continuous improvement. Think of examples where you've identified trends in quality data and implemented corrective actions. Be ready to discuss how you handle customer complaints and serious incidents effectively.
