QA Manager

COWRA MEAT PROCESSORS; Cowra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cowra Meat Processors is seeking a QA Manager to lead the Quality Assurance function, drive food safety systems, and ensure regulatory compliance across the site. The role involves close collaboration with production supervisors and management on the processing floor.

The successful candidate will have prior QA leadership in meat processing, strong HACCP knowledge, and a practical, hands-on approach to maintaining high food safety and animal welfare standards while meeting customer expectations.

Qualifications

• Experience leading QA in meat processing/abattoir or food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety systems, GMP and QA principles.
• Experience managing audits, corrective actions and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent attention to detail and record-keeping standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the site's Quality Assurance function and QA team.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's Quality Management and food safety systems.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Australian meat processing legislation, standards, regulatory requirements and approved arrangements.
• Maintain a strong daily presence on the processing floor and actively monitor operational compliance.
• Work closely with production management and supervisors to identify and rectify quality and food safety issues.
• Manage HACCP programs, verification activities, monitoring programs and supporting documentation.
• Oversee hygiene, sanitation, GMP, PPE and operational compliance requirements.
• Ensure pre-operational and operational inspections are completed correctly and within required timeframes.
• Manage non-conformances, corrective actions, investigations and preventative actions through to completion.
• Identify trends and recurring issues and implement practical solutions to prevent recurrence.

Skills

Leadership

QA management

HACCP knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Computer literacy

Tools

QA systems

Job description

Reporting to the Production Manager, the QA Manager will be responsible for the overall management, implementation and continuous improvement of the site's Quality Assurance and food safety systems. The role will provide leadership and direction to the QA team while working collaboratively with production supervisors, management, employees, regulators, auditors and customers. This is a key leadership position that requires someone who is practical, organised and comfortable being hands-on within a meat processing environment. The successful applicant will be expected to maintain a strong presence on the processing floor, work closely with production and management, and ensure food safety, animal welfare, regulatory and customer requirements are consistently achieved.

Key responsibilities

Lead and manage the site's Quality Assurance function and QA team.

Maintain and continuously improve the site's Quality Management and food safety systems.

Ensure compliance with applicable Australian meat processing legislation, standards, regulatory requirements and approved arrangements.

Maintain a strong daily presence on the processing floor and actively monitor operational compliance.

Work closely with production management and supervisors to identify and rectify quality and food safety issues.

Manage HACCP programs, verification activities, monitoring programs and supporting documentation.

Oversee hygiene, sanitation, GMP, PPE and operational compliance requirements.

Ensure pre-operational and operational inspections are completed correctly and within required timeframes.

Manage non-conformances, corrective actions, investigations and preventative actions through to completion.

Identify trends and recurring issues and implement practical solutions to prevent recurrence.

About you

Previous QA management or senior QA experience within the meat processing, abattoir or food manufacturing industry.

Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety systems, GMP and quality assurance principles.

Sound understanding of regulatory and audit requirements applicable to meat processing.

Experience managing audits, corrective actions and regulatory compliance.

Strong investigation and problem-solving skills.

Excellent attention to detail and record-keeping standards.

The ability to manage and develop a QA team.

Strong communication skills and the confidence to address non-compliance when required.

Good computer literacy and experience maintaining electronic and paper-based QA systems.

A practical, accountable and solutions-focused approach.

About Cowra Meat Processors

Cowra Meat Processors operates from Cowra in Central West NSW and is part of the Breakout River group. We are focused on maintaining high standards across food safety, product quality, animal welfare, workplace safety and operational performance while continuing to develop and improve our systems and facility.