QA Manager

Sharp and Carter; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharp and Carter is assisting an established Australian food manufacturer in Sydney to recruit a Quality Assurance Manager. The role covers end-to-end quality and food safety across the site, working closely with operations to ensure product quality.

This hands-on, individual-contributor position focuses on owning the quality function, maintaining systems, and driving continuous improvement in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Quality Manager/QA role within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP and food safety systems.
• Experience managing audits (internal, customer, regulatory, third-party).
• Experience handling non-conformances, corrective actions, and investigations.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end quality and food safety across the site.
• Be hands-on and visible on the manufacturing floor.
• Manage HACCP and food safety systems and documentation.
• Lead internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.

Skills

Quality management

HACCP

Audits

Non-conformances

Investigations

Food safety

Export knowledge

Stakeholder management

Autonomy

Hands-on

Job description

About the Company

Our client is an established Australian food manufacturer with a strong reputation for producing high-quality products across a specialist manufacturing operation. The business continues to grow and is committed to maintaining strong food safety, quality, and manufacturing standards.

An exciting opportunity has become available for a Quality Assurance Manager to take ownership of the quality function across their site.

About the Role

The Quality Assurance Manager will be responsible for the end-to-end quality and food safety function across the manufacturing site.

This is a hands-on individual contributor role, suited to someone who enjoys being close to the operation and taking ownership of quality outcomes rather than managing a large quality team.

Working closely with the Site Operations Manager and production team, you will provide practical quality support across the manufacturing operation while continuing to develop and improve the site's quality and food safety systems.

Key responsibilities include:

• Taking ownership of the end-to-end quality and food safety function
• Being hands-on and visible across the manufacturing floor
• Managing and maintaining HACCP and food safety systems
• Leading internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits
• Managing non-conformances, corrective actions, and investigations
• Supporting export and regulatory requirements
• Working closely with production to maintain product quality and food safety standards
• Managing quality documentation, records, and reporting
• Supporting traceability, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Working across raw materials, production, and finished products
• Driving a strong quality culture across the site
• Providing practical technical and quality support to operational teams

This is an excellent opportunity for a quality professional who enjoys being hands-on, working directly with operations, and having genuine ownership of the quality function within a growing food manufacturing business.

Skills & Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Previous experience in a Quality Manager, QA Manager, Senior QA, or similar quality position within food manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of HACCP and food safety systems
• Experience managing internal, customer, regulatory, or third-party audits
• Experience managing non-conformances, corrective actions, and investigations
• Understanding of food manufacturing processes and quality requirements
• Exposure to export and regulatory requirements will be highly regarded
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• A practical and hands-on approach to quality
• Ability to work autonomously and take ownership of the quality function
• Comfortable operating as an individual contributor and getting involved at an operational level
• Strong attention to detail and a continuous improvement mindset