Quality Assurance Manager

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading and developing the Quality Assurance function, ensuring compliance with customer, legal, food safety, and quality standards across the business.

The role will be focused primarily on QA management activities whilst also providing support to the wider Technical function as required. The successful candidate will work closely with customers, retailers, production teams, and senior management to maintain and continuously improve site standards and compliance.

While the role is predominantly Monday to Friday, a flexible approach is required, including occasional evening or night visits to support operational needs, audits, investigations, or customer requirements.

What we offer:

• Employee health cash back plan
• 24/7 access to GP and counselling
• Free on-site parking
• Free carrots and parsnips
• Supportive and friendly team environment

Key Responsibilities:

Quality Assurance Management

• Lead, manage, and develop the QA team to ensure robust quality and food safety standards are maintained.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS requirements and customer standards.
• Manage internal audit programmes and ensure corrective actions are completed effectively.
• Conduct gap analysis against retailer codes of practice, BRCGS standards, and customer requirements.
• Lead investigations into non-conformances, customer complaints, quality incidents, and product holds.
• Review quality data and trends, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Maintain and improve site quality management systems and documentation.
• Ensure GMP, hygiene, glass and plastic, calibration, traceability, and food safety systems are implemented and monitored.
• Provide training and coaching to QA personnel and operational teams.
• Support product quality improvement initiatives and implementation of best practices.

Technical Support

• Support the Technical Manager in maintaining retailer and customer compliance.
• Assist with customer specifications, technical documentation, and customer portals.
• Participate in retailer, customer, and third-party audits.
• Support HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, and food safety programmes.
• Assist in the management of residue, microbiological, and environmental testing programmes.
• Provide technical support during customer visits, audits, and investigations.
• Support the management and closure of audit non-conformances and customer actions.
• Act as a key customer contact for quality and food safety matters.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with retail customers and stakeholders.
• Communicate professionally with customers regarding complaints, incidents, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Present audit findings, reports, and improvement plans to customers where required.
• Ensure customer requirements are understood and implemented across the business.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Manager, or senior QA leadership role within the food manufacturing or fresh produce sector.
• Experience working directly with major UK retailers.
• Strong working knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Standard.
• Proven experience conducting gap analysis and implementing improvement plans.
• Experience managing customer audits and responding to retailer requirements.
• Strong people management and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Food Safety Level 3 (minimum).
• Full UK driving licence.
• Experience with retailer standards
• Root cause analysis and continuous improvement training.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced quality professional to lead site quality standards, build strong customer relationships, and support the ongoing growth and development of the business.