At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality and food safety initiatives across Refresco UK's operations.
- Company: Join Refresco, a global leader in beverage solutions with a commitment to quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, bonuses, private healthcare, and generous leave options.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team driving continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product safety and quality in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in quality leadership within FMCG manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join Refresco UK in a senior quality leadership role where you will take ownership of the Quality and Food Safety framework across our UK operations, ensuring the highest standards of product safety, authenticity, quality and compliance are embedded throughout the business.
- Head of Process and Quality Assurance
- Permanent
- Refresco Head Office / UK Multisite Role
- 38 hours per week
What's in it for you?
- Annual bonus and regular pay reviews
- Car allowance
- An enhanced pension contribution
- Private healthcare up to family level
- Early Friday finish to kick-start your weekend
- 28 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- Option to purchase additional leave, increasing your allowance to 31 days plus bank holidays
- Life assurance coverage
- Income protection
- 24/7 virtual GP access for you and your family
- Free eye-care vouchers and discounted glasses
- Employee referral scheme with bonuses for successful referrals
- Grocery Aid support services offering financial, legal, wellbeing and practical guidance
- Cheers benefits platform providing discounts, free perks, and wellbeing tools
About The Role
As Head of Quality Assurance, you will lead the development and governance of Refresco UK's Quality and Food Safety Management System, ensuring compliance with Refresco Group requirements, customer expectations, GFSI standards and all applicable regulatory obligations.
Working closely with site quality teams and the wider QESH function, you will drive consistency, continuous improvement and quality culture across the UK business while providing strategic leadership on food safety, supplier quality assurance and quality governance activities.
- Create, implement and maintain Food Safety and Quality standards across Refresco UK in line with internal, customer and external requirements.
- Lead governance of the Food Safety and Quality Management System (FSQMS), including document control, audit management and CAPA processes.
- Manage quality assurance verification activities across sites, providing independent oversight of operational quality controls.
- Act as the primary relationship manager for external accreditation bodies, ensuring constructive audit partnerships and continuous improvement.
- Hold operational quality teams accountable for the effective closure of audit findings and corrective actions.
- Develop and maintain laboratory competency verification programmes, including internal and external quality assurance activities.
- Lead internal laboratory audit programmes across the UK manufacturing network.
- Drive Food Safety and Quality Culture initiatives, monitoring progress and supporting delivery of improvement plans.
- Provide oversight of Supplier Quality Assurance processes, ensuring robust supplier approval and onboarding standards.
- Participate in supplier audits and support supplier performance improvement activities.
- Monitor supplier quality metrics, complaint trends and technical review findings.
- Review and approve annual site audit schedules across the UK network.
- Lead the VACCP programme in partnership with Procurement and NPD teams, applying horizon-scanning and risk assessment methodologies.
- Develop coaching and training programmes to strengthen technical and quality capability across sites.
- Design and monitor quality assurance KPI frameworks to identify trends and support continuous improvement.
- Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, ensuring site readiness and validated capabilities before operational handover.
- Promote Refresco's commitment to health and safety, food safety, environmental sustainability and operational excellence.
About You
The ideal candidate will be an experienced quality leader with a proven track record of managing food safety and quality systems within a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing environment.
You will be highly influential, commercially aware and capable of driving consistent standards across multiple sites.
We want someone who will lead and role model the Refresco core values of Agile, Responsible, Excellent, Passionate and Entrepreneurial. Find out more about our values here:
- https://www. refresco. co. uk/uk/about/our-values
- 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 trends.
Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and has more than 13,500 employees.
www. refresco. com
Our drinks on every table. That's the Refresco vision.
We're the proud owners of six drinks manufacturing sites within the UK, employing over 1,800 colleagues who produce private label soft drinks and fruit juices for many of the UK's leading retailers.
Whether it's packed in cartons, bottles, or cans, we ensure that our products are made to the highest quality standards and delivered to our customers when and where they need them.
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.
Head of Process & Quality Assurance employer: Refresco
Refresco Pontefract is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment where employees can thrive in their roles as Advanced Production Team Operatives. With a strong commitment to sustainability, competitive benefits including premium overtime rates, annual bonuses, and enhanced holiday allowances, as well as ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, Refresco fosters a culture of innovation and teamwork that empowers individuals to make a meaningful impact in the beverage industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Process & Quality Assurance
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like Refresco.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Refresco!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Refresco, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
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If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at Refresco, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Process & Quality Assurance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Refresco, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Refresco.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Refresco. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Refresco. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Refresco
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Refresco’s mission.
