Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager – Mini Line
Job Grade: M1
Reports to: Technical Manager
Location: Stevenage (STV)
Department: Technical
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
To lead the Quality Assurance function for the Mini Line, ensuring the highest standards of food safety, quality, legality and customer compliance are consistently achieved.
The role is responsible for implementing and maintaining customer-specific requirements, acting as the primary technical contact for the customer, and building strong customer relationships through regular communication, effective issue resolution and delivery of continuous improvement.
Working closely with the Technical Manager, Production and Operations teams, the Quality Assurance Manager will ensure that the Quality Management System, HACCP, customer Codes of Practice and legal requirements are fully implemented and embedded within the operation, while driving a proactive food safety and quality culture across the Mini Line.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Customer Management
- Act as the primary technical contact for the Mini Line customer.
- Build and maintain strong customer relationships through regular meetings and effective communication.
- Ensure all customer requirements, standards and Codes of Practice are implemented, maintained and continuously reviewed.
- Manage customer audits, visits, complaint investigations and technical queries.
- Lead the completion of customer corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) within agreed timescales.
- Monitor customer performance metrics (CPM) and implement improvement plans to reduce customer complaints.
Food Safety & Quality
- Lead the implementation and maintenance of customer food safety and quality standards across the Mini Line.
- Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, BRCGS, legal requirements and internal Quality Management Systems.
- Ensure Critical Control Points (CCPs) and prerequisite programmes are effectively monitored and verified.
- Maintain robust systems for product release, non-conformance management and product traceability.
- Ensure microbiological, environmental and analytical testing programmes are completed, reviewed and trended.
- Lead root cause investigations and ensure effective corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
- Drive continuous improvement of food safety, quality systems and customer compliance.
Operational Excellence
- Work closely with Production, Engineering and Supply Chain teams to ensure quality requirements are fully integrated into daily operations.
- Ensure quality procedures, policies and work instructions remain current and compliant with customer requirements.
- Review and improve quality systems based on audit findings, customer feedback and performance trends.
- Support new product launches, process improvements and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Analyse technical KPIs and implement actions to improve performance.
Audits & Compliance
- Lead customer, and internal audits for the Mini Line.
- Participate in BRCGS, third-party audits
- Ensure all audit findings related to the line are investigated, corrective actions implemented and effectiveness verified.
- Maintain audit readiness at all times.
- Support the Technical Manager during external audits and customer visits.
Leadership
- Lead, coach and develop the Mini Line Quality Team.
- Promote accountability, ownership and continuous professional development.
- Drive a positive food safety and quality culture throughout the operation.
- Ensure effective communication between all shifts and departments.
- Support succession planning and capability development within the technical team.
Health & Safety
- Ensure all technical activities comply with company Health & Safety policies and legal requirements.
- Promote safe working practices and investigate accidents, incidents and near misses.
- Lead by example in maintaining a safe working environment.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Delivery of customer food safety and quality requirements.
- Customer relationship management.
- Customer complaint performance (CPM).
- Successful customer, BRCGS and third-party audit outcomes.
- CAPA completion within agreed timescales.
- Food safety and quality culture development.
- Continuous improvement of quality systems and processes.
- Development and performance of the Mini Line Quality Team.
- Working with the Internal Auditor to improve the GMP and Hygiene standards of the line
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Knowledge
- Food Safety Management Systems.
- HACCP principles.
- BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety.
- Customer Codes of Practice.
- Root Cause Analysis and CAPA.
- Food manufacturing and quality management systems.
Skills
- Excellent customer relationship management.
- Effective communication and influencing skills.
- Decision making and problem solving.
- Audit management.
- Project and continuous improvement management.
- Data analysis and KPI management.
Experience
- Minimum 3 years' experience in a food manufacturing quality management role.
- Experience working with branded food manufacturers or major retailers.
- Experience managing customer audits and technical relationships.
- Experience leading quality teams.
Qualifications
- Degree or HND in Food Science or related discipline.
- Advanced HACCP.
- Advanced Food Hygiene.
- Internal/Lead Auditor qualification.
- Food Safety or Quality Management qualification (desirable).
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
- Customer complaint performance (CPM).
- Customer audit outcomes.
- Customer satisfaction.
- CAPA completion on time.
- Microbiological compliance.
- Food safety incident performance.
- Quality culture improvement.
- Continuous improvement project delivery.
Pay: £32,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
