Quality Assurance Leadership Opportunity
Join a dedicated food manufacturing business in the Bradford area to oversee the Quality Assurance function. This site-based role is responsible for maintaining high standards of food safety, quality, legality, and hygiene across the operation. The position suits an experienced QA professional who thrives in a hands-on manufacturing environment, leading a team and collaborating closely with Production and Operations to maintain and improve standards.
Role Overview
The Quality Assurance Manager will oversee the day-to-day QA function, supporting the team and ensuring quality systems and processes are consistently followed across the site. Working closely with Production, Operations, and senior management, the role involves maintaining the QMS, managing audits and non-conformances, supporting HACCP and food safety standards, and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support the Quality Assurance team
- Manage the day-to-day QA function and priorities
- Maintain and improve the Quality Management System
- Ensure compliance with SALSA and relevant food safety, quality, and legal standards
- Support HACCP reviews and food safety initiatives
- Investigate non-conformances, quality issues, and customer complaints
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions
- Manage internal audit programmes covering GMP, hygiene, CCPs, and quality systems
- Support external audits, customer visits, and inspections
- Monitor quality trends, KPIs, complaints, and testing results
- Verify CCPs and quality controls are effectively implemented
- Support validation and verification activities
- Coach and train production teams on food safety, hygiene, and quality standards
- Support supplier quality investigations and corrective actions
- Work closely with Production and Operations to resolve quality issues
- Promote a strong food safety, hygiene, and continuous improvement culture
- Identify opportunities to improve quality systems and processes
Key Requirements
- Experience managing or supervising Quality Assurance within a food manufacturing environment
- Experience working within a SALSA-accredited manufacturing environment
- Strong understanding of food safety legislation and Quality Management Systems
- HACCP Level 3 or above
- Food Safety Level 3 or above
- Internal auditing experience
- Strong investigation and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Confident working with and influencing Production and Operations teams
- Experience leading, coaching, or developing QA teams
Advantageous Requirements
- Familiarity with BRCGS or experience working within a BRCGS-accredited environment
- Experience managing customer complaints and CAPA programmes
- Knowledge of root cause analysis techniques
- Supplier quality experience
- Experience with environmental monitoring or microbiological testing
- Understanding of Health & Safety management systems
Details & Benefits
- Salary: £35,000 - £45,000 DOE
- Permanent, full-time
- Site-based - Bradford area
- Bonus scheme
- Training and development opportunities