QA Supervisor – Fresh Produce Role Specification
About Dearnsdale Fruit
Dearnsdale Fruit is a leading fresh produce business committed to delivering high-quality fruit through strong grower relationships, operational excellence, and a culture of continuous improvement. Our success is built on teamwork, flexibility, and a hands-on approach across the supply chain.
We are seeking an experienced QA Supervisor to lead quality assurance activities across our operations and ensure the highest standards of food safety, product quality, and compliance are maintained throughout the supply chain.
The Role
Reporting to the Operations Manager, the QA Supervisor will be responsible for overseeing all quality assurance functions across the business. This role is critical in ensuring product integrity, food safety compliance, traceability, and continuous improvement from raw material intake through to finished product dispatch.
The successful candidate will provide leadership to the QA team, drive compliance with customer and regulatory requirements, and work closely with production, operations, growers, and suppliers to maintain and continually improve quality systems and standards.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Leadership & Team Management
· Supervise, coach, and develop QA team members to ensure consistent quality performance and professional development.
· Foster a culture of quality, food safety, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the business.
· Provide guidance and support to operational teams on quality-related matters.
Quality Assurance & Compliance
· Manage raw material quality standards, including supplier compliance, inspections, approvals, and ongoing performance monitoring.
· Oversee finished product quality to ensure customer specifications and quality requirements are consistently achieved.
· Maintain and continuously improve food safety and quality management systems, including HACCP, GMP, and customer-specific standards.
· Ensure compliance with all food safety, legal, regulatory, and customer requirements.
Auditing & Traceability
· Assist and support external audits conducted by customers, certification bodies, and regulatory authorities, including BRCGS, Red Tractor, and retailer audits.
· Maintain product traceability and traceback exercises to ensure full supply chain visibility and compliance.
· Maintain accurate quality documentation, records, and reporting systems.
Continuous Improvement
· Analyse quality and production data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement.
· Investigate non-conformances, customer complaints, and quality incidents, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
· Collaborate with production and operations teams to resolve quality issues and improve operational performance.
· Monitor quality KPIs and drive initiatives that enhance product quality, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
Systems & Reporting
· Utilise software and other business systems to manage quality data, inventory information, traceability records, and reporting requirements.
· Prepare and present quality reports, audit outcomes, KPI results, and improvement recommendations to management.
· Support site readiness for customer visits, audits, and certification activities.
About You
Essential
· Proven experience in a QA Supervisor, QA Lead, or similar quality leadership role within food manufacturing, fresh produce, or FMCG.
· Strong knowledge of food safety systems, HACCP, GMP, quality standards, and audit requirements.
· Experience leading and developing QA teams.
· Demonstrated experience managing traceability systems and conducting traceback investigations.
· Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause investigation skills.
· Excellent attention to detail and organisational abilities.
· Confident communicator with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments and stakeholders.
· Proficient in Microsoft Office and quality management systems.
Desirable
· Experience working within fresh produce, agriculture, or other highly seasonal production environments.
· Knowledge of BRCGS, Red Tractor, retailer standards, and customer audit requirements.
Working Requirements
· Must be flexible and willing to support operational requirements outside standard working hours when necessary.
· Availability to work occasional weekends during peak harvest and high-demand periods.
· Ability to adjust working hours during seasonal harvest periods to support production and quality requirements.
· Willingness to participate in an on-call rota when required.
What's on Offer
· A key leadership role within a respected and growing fresh produce business.
· The opportunity to influence quality culture, systems, and operational performance.
· Exposure across the full supply chain, from growers and suppliers through to finished product delivery.
· A collaborative and hands-on team environment.
· Opportunities for professional development and continuous improvement leadership.
· Competitive salary package based on experience.
Pay: From £13.50 per hour
Benefits:
Experience:
- fresh produce: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Location:
- Stafford ST18 9DH (required)
Work Location: In person
