At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product quality and food safety in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Established food manufacturing business with a focus on quality and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to influence brand standards.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product integrity and drive continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in food quality management and strong knowledge of food safety legislation.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
An established food manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Product Manager to lead product quality and food safety at a high‑volume production facility. This key role within the site leadership structure is responsible for safeguarding product integrity, driving continuous quality improvement and acting as the guardian of brand standards.
The Opportunity
Operating within a fast‑moving FMCG environment, the role offers genuine influence across operations, technical and supply chain teams, with exposure to customer and regulatory stakeholders both in the UK and overseas.
Key Responsibilities
- Full accountability for site product quality and food safety performance
- Lead all regulatory, customer and third‑party audits (announced and unannounced)
- Maintain, develop and audit the Total Quality Management System
- Drive a continuous improvement culture focused on quality, yield and consumer value
- Act as a HACCP team member, ensuring risk assessments, validation and verification are robust
- Oversee raw material intake quality, yield optimisation and allocation
- Manage product quality incidents and complaints through effective RCA and corrective action
- Ensure customer specifications and quality systems are accurate, current and clearly communicated
- Partner with cross‑functional teams to embed best practice and consistent ways of working
- Lead, coach and develop technical team members to ensure capability and engagement
- Act as the custodian of brand quality and integrity
About You
- An experienced Product Quality / Technical Manager from a food or fresh produce environment
- Confident leading audits and acting with authority in a regulated manufacturing setting
- Strong working knowledge of food safety legislation and customer standards
- Collaborative, resilient and commercially minded
- Comfortable influencing across functions and managing multiple stakeholders
- Detail‑focused, analytical and proactive in problem solving
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree in Food Science, Horticulture, Agriculture or similar discipline
- HACCP Level 4 and Level 4 Food Safety
- Internal and third‑party auditing experience
- Proven leadership experience within FMCG or fresh food manufacturing
- Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives
- Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel to UK and overseas sites as required
Product Manager employer: Zest Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Zest Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager
✨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 hunt for a Product Manager 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
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of food safety legislation and quality management systems. Be ready to discuss how you've driven continuous improvement in past roles, as this will show you're the right fit for safeguarding product integrity.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and expertise. Use our website to find roles that excite you and match your skills. Tailor your approach to each company to stand out from the crowd!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them why you're the perfect candidate for the Product Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Product Manager role. Highlight your experience in food safety and quality management, and don’t forget to mention any relevant audits you've led. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about product quality and how you can drive continuous improvement. Be sure to mention specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your skills.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Product Manager, you'll be leading teams and influencing stakeholders. Make sure to highlight your leadership experience and how you've successfully coached and developed team members in previous roles. We love seeing collaboration in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety legislation and quality management systems. Familiarise yourself with HACCP principles and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading audits and managing teams. Think about specific situations where you drove continuous improvement or resolved product quality incidents, and be ready to share these stories.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research the food manufacturing business and its brand values. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their continuous improvement culture.
✨Engage with Cross-Functional Teams
Think about how you've collaborated with different departments in the past. Be ready to explain how you can partner with operations, technical, and supply chain teams to ensure best practices are embedded across the board.