At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality initiatives and ensure compliance in beverage production processes.
- Company: Join Refresco, a global leader in beverage solutions with a commitment to quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, bonuses, extra holidays, and flexible employee benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product quality and food safety in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality leadership within FMCG and strong knowledge of QMS and GMP.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Process Quality Manager to provide day-to-day quality leadership across our process operations at Bridgwater. This is a critical role focused on ensuring that all activities — raw material intake through blending and syrup room operations — consistently meet Refresco’s quality, food safety and GMP standards. Working closely with Production, Engineering and Technical teams, you will be highly visible in the process areas, supporting decision-making, driving compliance and embedding a proactive quality culture across operational teams.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive pay
- 10% Annual bonus
- Life assurance
- 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Purchase extra holiday scheme
- Access to employee benefits platform – Cheers which includes flexible benefits such as additional healthcare cover, healthcare cash plan, dental insurance, car scheme, activities pass, financial services, will writing services etc.
About the role
Reporting to the Site Technical Manager, the Process Quality Manager is accountable for quality performance across the process area. You will oversee raw material acceptance, in-process quality controls and out-of-specification (OOS) decision-making, ensuring product integrity and compliance at every stage. This role plays a key part in protecting brand reputation, maintaining audit readiness and driving continuous improvement in process quality and hygiene standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Raw Material & Incoming Quality
- Own and maintain incoming goods acceptance criteria for all raw materials, ingredients, packaging and processing aids
- Ensure robust raw material verification and inspection processes are consistently applied prior to production
- Maintain and embed an effective process quality plan
- Support Supplier Assurance and Central Technical teams with feedback on material performance
- Lead escalation and investigation of non-conforming raw materials
- Ensure relevant sensory programmes are in place, maintained and adhered to
- Process Quality Control
- Oversee in-process quality checks, ensuring critical parameters (Brix, pH, acidity, carbonation, temperature, etc.) meet specification
- Review and verify batching accuracy, completeness and compliance across all shifts
- Lead OOS decision-making, including product hold, rework or release, in collaboration with QA, Production and Technical leadership
- Support validation and verification of quality-critical process parameters and equipment
- GMP, Hygiene & Food Safety
- Champion GMP across the process area through coaching, audits and corrective action follow-up
- Support effective cleaning, validation and verification, particularly for allergen and flavour changeovers
- Drive foreign body controls and wood, glass and plastic audits
- Support pest control, housekeeping and environmental monitoring relevant to hygienic zoning
- Quality Incidents & Investigations
- Lead or support process-related quality incident investigations
- Coordinate with the Assistant Technical Manager on product holds, traceability and complaint investigations
- Drive reduction of internal and external quality losses, including non-conforming product and complaints
- Ensure quality records are accurate, complete and audit-ready
- Training, Coaching & Continuous Improvement
- Deliver GMP and quality training to operators and team leaders
- Coach production teams on quality standards and expectations at line level
- Identify and implement improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve compliance and enhance consistency
- Analyse trends (OOS, holds, micro failures) and implement preventative actions
- Act as the site sensory super user, ensuring training, verification and escalation of programme concerns
- Audit & Compliance
- Support BRCGS, retailer, co-man and internal audit readiness for the process area
- Conduct internal audits and factory inspections, ensuring timely closure of findings
- Work closely with Central Compliance and the Assistant Technical Manager during verification and follow-up activities
About you
- Experience in a Quality leadership role within an FMCG environment
- Strong knowledge of QMS, HACCP, GMP and audit standards
- Confidence managing non-conforming product, incidents and risk
- Proven ability to lead, coach and influence teams at all levels
- A data-driven, continuous improvement mindset
- Clear communication skills and strong attention to detail
- A proactive, resilient approach with a passion for quality and food safety
About Refresco
Refresco is the global independent beverage solutions provider for Global, National and Emerging brands, and retailers with production in Europe, North America, and Australia. Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, Aseptic PET, cans, and glass. Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand, environmental responsibilities, and market demand. Our drinks on every table. That’s the Refresco vision. We’re a global business and currently produce 12 billion litres of soft drinks from 64 manufacturing plants in 12 countries and we’re only just getting started. We’re the proud owners of six drinks manufacturing sites within the UK. Our UK business provides a great place to work for over 1,800 employees, who produce private label soft drinks and fruit juices for all the leading retailers. Whether it’s packed in cartons, bottles or cans, we ensure that our products are made to the highest quality standards. Our products get where they need to be when they need to get there to meet the needs of our high-profile customers. Refresco believes that equal opportunity for all is fundamental to our company's values and all our applicants can expect fairness and transparency in our recruitment process.
Process Quality Manager in Bridgwater employer: Refresco
Contact Detail:
Refresco Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Process Quality Manager in Bridgwater
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect 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 the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your achievements in quality management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Process Quality Manager in Bridgwater
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Process Quality Manager role. Highlight your experience in quality leadership, especially in FMCG environments, and showcase your knowledge of QMS, HACCP, and GMP standards.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven compliance and improved quality in previous positions, and don’t forget to express your passion for food safety!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you’ve reduced waste or improved compliance. Numbers speak volumes and can set you apart from other candidates.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role as soon as possible!
How to prepare for a job interview at Refresco
✨Know Your Quality Standards
Familiarise yourself with key quality standards like QMS, HACCP, and GMP. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous roles, especially in an FMCG environment. This shows you understand the importance of compliance and can lead teams effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading and coaching teams. Think about specific situations where you influenced positive change or improved quality processes. This will demonstrate your ability to drive a proactive quality culture.
✨Be Data-Driven
Come prepared with data or examples that illustrate your continuous improvement mindset. Discuss how you've used data to analyse trends and implement preventative actions in past roles. This will show your analytical skills and commitment to quality.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, ask insightful questions about their current quality challenges and initiatives. This not only shows your interest in the role but also allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and passion for quality and food safety.