Market Quality Operations Manager

Manpower are currently seeking an interim Market Quality Operations Manager, to work with our global FMCG client The Magnum Ice Cream Company and become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment.

The position is based in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. This is a full-time temporary role to run for 3 months, requiring 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £63,000 to £75,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.

The role currently offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.

Quality is a key driver of competitive advantage in the Ice Cream business. The Market Quality Operation plays a crucial role in embedding a strong culture of quality within the business unit, ensuring every product delivers the best experience and delights our consumers.

Key Responsibilities

• Hold end-to-end cold-chain quality responsibility across the region, covering primary and secondary operations (warehousing and transportation) and tertiary operations (distributors, concessionaires, customers, cabinets and freezers).
• Ensure warehouse and transportation quality requirements are met, including external certification where applicable.
• Manage quality, audits, continuous improvement, metrics and external certification for Collaborative Manufacturers (CMs) and repackers.
• Act as a member of the BU Quality Leadership Team, partnering with local stakeholders.
• Communicate quality objectives, performance metrics and improvement initiatives to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, customers and external stakeholders to resolve quality issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Investigate customer and consumer complaints, implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), track CCPMU data and share trends and insights with the BULT.
• Build strong relationships with key customers to maintain end-to-end quality standards.
• Develop, implement and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring product compliance with local legislation.
• Coordinate the development of relevant training materials.
• Manage compliance and regulatory matters with local and international regulatory bodies, including import and export requirements.
• Lead and execute Inter Company Quality Agreements (ICQAs) for imported products.
• Maintain an effective Change Management system to ensure business changes are appropriately managed.
• Investigate non-conformances and quality failures, lead Critical Event Processes and ensure improvements are identified, implemented and shared across the business.
• Manage critical consumer complaints and, where product safety or quality incidents arise in the marketplace, lead the local IMT and end-to-end investigation.

Professional Skills Competencies

• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and standards, including HACCP, FSSC 22000 and relevant food labelling requirements.
• Proven food quality management experience gained within food manufacturing, food retail or a related industry. Ice cream experience would be advantageous, but other food categories will be considered; chilled or frozen experience is not essential.
• Approximately 5–10 years of relevant experience, with the capability to operate effectively at a senior level.
• A solid understanding of manufacturing environments, processes and operational challenges. This experience does not have to have been gained within food manufacturing.
• Strong stakeholder-management and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and manage multiple stakeholders across different functions and levels.
• Auditing experience and the ability to assess and manage product safety, quality and compliance risks.
• Experience working effectively in virtual and geographically dispersed teams.
• A proactive, flexible and continuous-improvement approach to quality management.