Quality Assurance Manager

We are seeking an experienced QA Manager to join a busy food manufacturing site. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that products, processes and systems consistently meet food safety, quality and legal requirements, while leading and developing a team of QA professionals and QA Supervisors. About the Business Our client is a well-established food manufacturing organisation supplying a diverse range of high-quality products to major UK retailers and foodservice customers. The business has a strong focus on food safety, product quality, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. Location: North East England Key Responsibilities :

• Communicate quality issues, technical updates and changes to standards effectively across all departments.
• Maintain high standards of food safety while driving continuous improvements in manufacturing standards and process compliance.
• Manage concession and non-conformance systems, ensuring appropriate corrective and preventative actions are implemented both internally and with suppliers.
• Lead and coordinate customer complaint investigations, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions are completed effectively and within agreed timescales.
• Liaise with customers, suppliers and external service providers on technical and quality-related matters.
• Coordinate technical activities and ensure the site remains fully prepared for internal, customer and third-party audits.
• Lead, manage and develop a team of QA professionals and QA Supervisors.
• Review quality issues within the QA function and wider business, ensuring actions are clearly identified, assigned and followed through to completion.
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels between the Quality/Technical team and other departments.
• Coordinate and support internal, customer and external audits as required.
• Challenge, develop and maintain robust controls, procedures and working practices to ensure consistent compliance with technical standards.
• Monitor site standards and support the achievement and ongoing maintenance of recognised food safety certification.
• Facilitate the implementation of effective systems and working practices across the site.
• Promote a strong culture of food safety, quality, compliance and continuous improvement. Experience Required
• Strong technical experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience managing, supervising or leading a QA/Technical team.
• Experience working with major UK retailers or within a retail-supplied food manufacturing environment.
• Good understanding of food safety, HACCP, quality systems and technical standards.
• Experience managing non-conformances, corrective actions, complaints and audits. Qualifications
• Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene.
• Hygiene and Chemical Awareness training.
• Level 3 HACCP. Key Skills
• Strong planning, organisation and project management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels of seniority.
• Confident presentation and influencing skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability and a solutions-focused approach.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Self-motivated and proactive approach.
• Flexible attitude and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, team-focused approach.
• Ability to challenge effectively while maintaining positive working relationships