Manufacturing Quality Manager

Bega Group; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Wellbeing portal

Salary continuance insurance

Job summary

Bega Group is seeking a Quality & Food Safety Leader to drive quality, food safety and continuous improvement across our manufacturing network. You will engage with cross-functional teams, audit and coach sites, and influence outcomes to uphold the highest standards.

The role involves regular travel across Australia to support 15 manufacturing sites and external partners, with a base in Port Melbourne. Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement are essential.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in FMCG/Food Manufacturing, Food safety and quality operations.
• Strong influencing skills and providing advice and decisions in a timely manner.
• Experience in risk management and root cause investigation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing internal and external manufacturing partners and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality, food safety, compliance and risk management across manufacturing operations and partners.
• Drive continuous improvement through quality performance monitoring and root cause analysis.
• Ensure Quality Management Systems and food safety programs meet regulatory and customer requirements.
• Partner with stakeholders to manage risk and deliver consistent quality outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership and coaching to build capability and foster quality excellence.

Skills

FMCG experience

Food safety

Quality operations

Stakeholder influencing

Job description

In this role, you will drive quality, food safety and continuous improvement across a diverse manufacturing and supplier network, partnering with cross-functional teams to manage risk, influence outcomes and ensure products consistently meet the highest standards. As part of our Operational Excellence team, you will work closely with manufacturing sites, external suppliers and key stakeholders to strengthen quality systems, enhance capability and deliver sustainable improvements across the Bega Group.

A key aspect of this role is building strong relationships through regular site engagement. You will travel extensively across Australia, visiting our 15 manufacturing sites as well as external suppliers, contract manufacturers and service providers. Through auditing, coaching, mentoring and collaboration, you will support the consistent application of quality and food safety standards, identify improvement opportunities and help drive a culture of quality excellence.

We are looking for someone with deep knowledge and experience in food safety, quality operations, food manufacturing and FMCG environments. You will be comfortable making sound decisions with limited information, managing competing priorities and influencing outcomes at all levels of the organisation. Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and leadership skills are essential.

This role is based in Port Melbourne and requires frequent travel across Australia to support both our manufacturing sites and external supplier network. Candidates must be comfortable with regular travel and time spent on-site. Alternative base locations may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality, food safety, compliance and risk management across manufacturing operations, external partners and product portfolios.
• Drive continuous improvement through quality performance monitoring, root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Ensure Quality Management Systems and food safety programs meet regulatory, customer and business requirements.
• Partner with stakeholders to manage risk, solve technical challenges and deliver consistent quality outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching and expertise to build capability and foster a culture of quality excellence.

About you

• Extensive experience in FMCG/Food Manufacturing, Food safety and quality operations.
• Strong influencing skills and providing advise and decisions in a timely manner.
• Experience in risk management and root cause investigation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing internal and external manufacturing partners and suppliers.

Bega Group is home to many trusted and iconic food and beverage brands. Whether it's VEGEMITE on toast, a Dare on the go or a Zooper Dooper on a hot day - you've probably grown up enjoying the iconic products we proudly manufacture every day.

Our growth story of becoming a successful ASX 200 listed company with an annual turnover in excess of $3 billion and over 3000 employees, is made possible by our dedicated workforce who live and breathe our values every day. We have a strong regional focus and proudly support the communities where we work, live and play. At the Bega Group, we are proud of our heritage and will continue to build great opportunities to encourage our people to develop and thrive. Come and be a part of our success story as we continue to build The Great Australian Food Company through creating Great Food for a Better Future!

Company culture and our values are very important to us. From flexible working arrangements and regular social catch ups, we're committed to fostering a supportive and agile work environment for our team.

• Join a dedicated, forward-thinking and innovative culture
• Grow with us, through opportunities for career development and progression
• Contribute by giving back to your community through charities we partner with
• Access to mental and physical health programs through our wellbeing portal and programs
• Enjoy excellent employee benefits, including flexible working, purchased leave options and salary continuance insurance

Applications

You must hold a current Australian driver's license.

At Bega Group, diversity and inclusion is a business priority, we want everyone to be themselves regardless of their background, religion, sexual orientation, age or gender so we can truly reflect the customers and communities that we serve. No matter how you identify, we encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to work at the Bega Group.

We will accept applications from all people with the right to live and work in Australia.