Quality Assurance and Environmental Manager (Permanent) in Ellesmere Port

This is not a typical Quality & Environmental Assurance Managerial role. Your mandate for this role is clear - you will design, implement and own the complete Quality, Compliance and Food Safety framework for a brand-new greenfield food-grade rPET in Ellesmere Port. The plant will start its hot commissioning late 2026 and with full operations slated for early 2027. You build the function from the ground up protecting the site's licence to operate, customer trust and food-grade integrity from day one.

What you'll be doing as Quality & Environmental Assurance Manager:

• Standalone role at the outset own the full quality management system, food-contact compliance, laboratory, process control, audit readiness and data-driven performance framework.
• Be part of the senior leadership team and help build the team.
• Real regulatory and commercial stakes: food-grade rPET under strict EU regulations (including Regulation (EU) 2022/1616).
• Design the metrics, dashboards, SPC systems and root-cause frameworks that turn data into operational insight.
• Permanent senior role with the chance to shape how a major UK circular-economy facility operates for years to come.

Quality Management System & ISO Framework:

• Design, implement and maintain a full Quality Management System aligned to ISO 9001, tailored to food-grade rPET manufacturing.
• Lead the pathway to (and ongoing maintenance of) ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (Environmental), ISO 50001 (Energy) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety).
• Establish document control, change management, internal audit programmes, management review and continuous improvement processes.

Food-Grade Compliance, Regulatory & Customer Requirements:

• Act as management representative for the site's Environment Agency Competence Management System (CMS).
• Own full compliance with EU food-contact regulations for recycled plastics, including Regulation (EU) 2022/1616, Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, Regulation (EU) 10/2011, BRCGS for food-contact packaging materials and GMP requirements (EC) 2023/2006.
• Ensure the recycling process remains authorised and operates within any applicable EFSA opinion / Commission authorisation.
• Design and maintain robust contamination control, input material acceptance criteria, decontamination process monitoring and finished product release criteria.

Data-Driven Quality, Analytics & Continuous Improvement:

• Design and implement metrics, KPIs and dashboards covering process capability, non-conformance trends, customer complaints, audit findings, laboratory results and key product attributes (IV, colour, AA, contamination levels).
• Introduce statistical process control (SPC), process capability analysis and data-driven root-cause investigation.
• Lead internal and external audit programmes (ISO, customer, regulatory) and keep the site audit-ready.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering and Leadership to turn data into process improvements and higher first-pass yield.

Laboratory, Testing & Supplier Quality:

• Establish or oversee the on-site laboratory (and external partnerships), including test methods, calibration, proficiency and data integrity.
• Define incoming feedstock quality standards and supplier approval / monitoring processes.
• Ensure finished product testing and release processes are robust, risk-based and aligned with food-contact purity requirements and customer specifications.

What we're looking for in a Quality & Environmental Assurance Manager:

• You will have significant experience in a Quality, Compliance or Technical Manager role within recycling or manufacturing ideally plastics, packaging, food-contact materials, chemicals or a closely related process industry.
• Proven track record of designing, implementing or leading ISO 9001 (and preferably ISO 14001 / ISO 45001) management systems in an operational environment.
• Strong working knowledge of food-contact material regulations and/or recycled plastics compliance (EU 2022/1616, 10/2011, 1935/2004 or equivalent).
• Hands-on experience of data-driven quality management: SPC, process capability, root-cause analysis, CAPA systems and quality performance dashboards.
• Experience managing customer audits, regulatory inspections and external certification bodies.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to turn complex data into clear insight and practical action.
• Self-starter who thrives in a standalone or lean environment and can build structure, systems and culture from the ground up.

To apply for this role as Quality & Environmental Assurance Manager, please click apply online and upload an updated copy of your CV.