At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product quality and food safety in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Company: Established food manufacturer known for high-quality fresh products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £55k, bonus, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a culture of continuous improvement and strong food safety commitment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food quality and brand integrity in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science or related field; experience in food manufacturing required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Hayes, London
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00AM - 19:00PM
Working pattern: Site-based
Pay: up to £55k + bonus
Our client is a well-established food manufacturing business supplying major UK retailers and customers with high-quality fresh products. Operating within a fast-paced FMCG environment, the business is recognised for its strong food safety culture, operational excellence, and commitment to continuous improvement across the supply chain.
The Role
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Product Manager (Food Quality) to lead the factory product quality function at a key UK manufacturing site. Reporting into the Technical Manager, this role plays a critical part in assuring total product quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance, while driving continuous improvement and resilience across operations. You will lead Technical Supervisors, act as a guardian of brand integrity, and work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure products are safe, legal, consistent, and aligned with customer and regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the overall product quality performance of the factory
- Own and continuously develop the Total Quality Management System (TQMS)
- Successfully manage all regulatory, customer, second and third-party audits (announced and unannounced)
- Drive a strong culture of food safety, quality assurance, and continuous improvement
- Ensure all customer specifications are current, accurate, and fully embedded across the site
- Manage raw material intake quality, yield optimisation, and allocation
- Act as a key HACCP team member, ensuring all risk assessments, validation and verification systems are robust
- Lead effective resolution of quality issues and prevention of customer complaints
- Ensure full adherence to NPD and change control processes
- Coach, develop, and performance-manage Technical Supervisors
- Build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities
- Act as deputy in the absence of the Technical manager when required
Key Requirements
- Degree-qualified in Food Science, Horticulture, Agriculture, or a related discipline
- Level 4 Food Safety Supervision (Manufacturing)
- Internal and Third-Party Auditing qualifications
- Proven experience in a food manufacturing, fresh produce, or horticultural environment
- Strong working knowledge of UK food legislation and customer standards
- Demonstrated leadership and stakeholder management capability
- Highly organised, data-driven, and resilient in fast-moving environments
- Fluent English (written and verbal)
- Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel within the UK and overseas on occasion
Why Apply?
This is a high-impact leadership role offering real influence over product quality, food safety, and brand integrity within a complex FMCG operation. To apply, please send your CV to or apply directly via our website.
Product Manager - Fresh Produce in London employer: RND Recruitment
Join a leading premium bakery chain in London, where we pride ourselves on our vibrant work culture and commitment to employee development. As the Head of Multi-Site Bakery Operations, you will benefit from competitive remuneration, comprehensive training programmes, and opportunities for career advancement within a supportive team environment that values innovation and excellence in customer service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager - Fresh Produce in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food manufacturing industry, especially those who work in fresh produce. Use LinkedIn to connect and engage with them; you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their commitment to food safety and quality. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested in making an impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering competency questions. Structure your responses around Situation, Task, Action, and Result to clearly demonstrate your problem-solving skills and leadership experience in food quality management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager - Fresh Produce in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Manager role. Highlight your experience in food quality and compliance, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications or certifications that align with the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements:When writing your application, focus on showcasing your achievements in previous roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams, manage audits, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and concise. Use straightforward language and bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We want to see your skills and experience without wading through unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at RND Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety regulations and quality management systems. Familiarise yourself with the latest UK food legislation and customer standards, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership capabilities, especially in managing teams and driving a culture of continuous improvement. Think about specific situations where you've successfully led a project or resolved a quality issue.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since this role requires a strong focus on data, be ready to discuss how you've used data to make decisions in past roles. Bring examples of how you've optimised processes or improved product quality based on data analysis.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in building trusted relationships with stakeholders, customers, and suppliers. Prepare to discuss how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and compliance.
