Quality Assurance Lead in Cambridge

Quality Assurance Lead in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 36000 - 60000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
T

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead quality assurance efforts, coach teams, and ensure top-notch product standards.
  • Company: Fast-growing food manufacturing business in Cambridgeshire.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on leadership role, and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on quality processes and lead a passionate team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in quality leadership within food manufacturing and strong food safety knowledge.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.

Are you a hands-on quality professional who loves leading teams, solving problems, and setting high standards? Our client, a fast-growing food manufacturing business, is looking for a Quality Assurance Lead to join their site in Cambridgeshire.

The Role

Reporting to the Quality Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day quality agenda on site. This is a visible, hands-on role where you'll be on the factory floor, coaching your team, supporting audits, managing complaints, and ensuring every product leaving site meets exacting standards.

Key Responsibilities

  • Drive improvements in factory standards through strong cross-functional collaboration
  • Ensure production teams understand and meet quality expectations
  • Lead and support internal and external audits
  • Maintain product quality through:
  • Sensory evaluation
  • QC checks and accurate record-keeping
  • Microbiological and chemical testing (batch and non-batch)
  • Manage customer complaints from investigation through CAPA to closure
  • Support root cause analysis with other functions
  • Escalate food safety issues when required
  • Report KPIs to site and central teams
  • Lead, coach, and develop your QA team through regular 1-to-1s, performance management, and annual development plans
  • What We’re Looking For

    • Proven experience in a quality leadership role within food manufacturing
    • Strong working knowledge of food safety and quality systems (HACCP, GFSI, etc.)
    • Confident communicator, able to influence across departments
    • Organised, resilient, and comfortable making decisions

    Why This Role?

    This is an opportunity to take the lead on quality with full support, make a real impact on processes, and develop a team that takes pride in its standards.

    Apply Today

    To find out more or to apply, contact Gemma at The Collective Network.

    Quality Assurance Lead in Cambridge employer: The Collective Network

    Join a dynamic and fast-growing food manufacturing business in Cambridgeshire, where you will be empowered to lead quality initiatives and make a tangible impact on production standards. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and continuous improvement, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and development within a hands-on environment. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on team success, this role is perfect for those looking to thrive in a rewarding and meaningful career.
    T

    Contact Detail:

    The Collective Network Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

    We think this is how you could land Quality Assurance Lead in Cambridge

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food manufacturing industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a Quality Assurance Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Get ready for those interviews! Research common questions for quality assurance roles and practice your answers. Be prepared to discuss your experience with HACCP and GFSI, and how you've driven improvements in quality standards in previous positions.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Show off your leadership skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've coached teams and managed complaints. Highlight your ability to influence across departments and how you've successfully led audits in the past.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to submit your application and get noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and making an impact in quality assurance.

    We think you need these skills to ace Quality Assurance Lead in Cambridge

    Quality Leadership
    Food Safety Knowledge
    HACCP
    GFSI
    Cross-Functional Collaboration
    Auditing Skills
    Complaint Management
    Root Cause Analysis
    Sensory Evaluation
    Microbiological Testing
    Chemical Testing
    KPI Reporting
    Coaching and Development
    Communication Skills
    Decision-Making

    Some tips for your application 🫑

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Quality Assurance Lead role. Highlight your hands-on experience in quality leadership and any relevant food safety knowledge to catch our eye!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about quality assurance in food manufacturing. Share specific examples of how you've driven improvements and led teams, as this will show us you’re the right fit for the job.

    Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t shy away from discussing challenges you've faced in previous roles. We love to see how you’ve tackled issues, especially in a fast-paced environment like food manufacturing.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us!

    How to prepare for a job interview at The Collective Network

    ✨Know Your Quality Standards

    Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety and quality systems like HACCP and GFSI. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you're not just familiar with them, but that you can apply them effectively in a hands-on role.

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in a quality assurance context. Think about specific situations where you coached team members or improved processes, as this will demonstrate your ability to lead and develop others.

    ✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Questions

    Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, particularly around managing customer complaints or conducting root cause analysis. Have a few scenarios ready where you successfully navigated challenges, highlighting your analytical thinking and decision-making.

    ✨Communicate Effectively

    As a confident communicator, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You’ll need to influence across departments, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated quality expectations and collaborated with production teams in the past.

    Quality Assurance Lead in Cambridge
    The Collective Network
    Location: Cambridge

    Land your dream job quicker with Premium

    You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
    Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
    Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
    1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
    Go Premium

    Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

    T
    Similar positions in other companies
    UK’s top job board for Gen Z
    discover-jobs-cta
    Discover now
    >