Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager

Mildura Fruit Company; Mildura; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Mildura Fruit Company seeks a Quality Assurance leader to oversee the site Quality Management System, food safety programs and compliance framework, ensuring practical, audit-ready processes. You will lead the QA function and HACCP team, maintaining SQF, HARPS, DAFF and SEDEX standards while driving supplier and customer compliance across the business.

With a focus on continuous improvement, you will collaborate with Operations, Production, Grower Services, Sales and Logistics to embed quality

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Food Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the site’s Quality Management System, food safety programs and compliance framework, keeping them practical and ready for what comes next.
• Responsible for the Vendor Quality Manager and HACCP Team Leader for the business.
• Maintain compliance with SQF, HACCP, FSANZ, retailer, export and customer requirements.
• Lead internal and external audits, including SQF, HARPS, DAFF, SEDEX and customer audits.
• Ensure the business remains audit-ready through documentation, verification and corrective action processes.
• Oversee supplier approval and vendor management programs, including ethical sourcing requirements.
• Manage customer complaints, product incident investigations, tracebacks and corrective action programs.
• Monitor and maintain product quality standards, specifications, traceability and compliance systems.

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications in Food Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science or a related discipline

Job description

Build your career in sunny Mildura, where a relaxed regional lifestyle, a welcoming community and one of Australia’s most important horticultural regions come together. Here, meaningful work, genuine influence and a little more sunshine are all part of the opportunity.

Who are we?

Mildura Fruit Company brings together the citrus produce from more than 110 growers across Sunraysia and the Riverland, packing and marketing premium Australian fruit for customers around the world. Built on deep experience and strong grower and customer relationships we continue to seek to improve and grow our business.

Leadership Impact:

Play a critical role in protecting and enhancing our food safety, quality, compliance and sustainability standards.

Meaningful Work:

Help deliver premium Australian fruit to domestic and international customers while maintaining the highest standards of quality and integrity.

Operational Influence:

Partner with Production, Grower Services, Sales & Marketing, Logistics and Technical teams to drive quality outcomes across the supply chain.

Continuous Improvement:

Lead initiatives that strengthen food safety culture, audit performance, environmental sustainability and operational excellence.

Great People, Shared Purpose:

Join a collaborative team that takes pride in doing things well, supporting one another and delivering premium Australian citrus produce to customers around the world.

What you’ll get involved in

Take ownership of the site’s Quality Management System, food safety programs and compliance framework, keeping them practical, effective and ready for what comes next.

Responsible for the Vendor Quality Manager and HACCP Team Leader for the business.

Maintain compliance with SQF, HACCP, FSANZ, retailer, export and customer requirements.

Lead internal and external audits, including SQF, HARPS, DAFF, SEDEX and customer audits.

Ensure the business remains audit-ready through effective documentation, verification and corrective action processes.

Oversee supplier approval and vendor management programs, including ethical sourcing requirements.

Manage customer complaints, product incident investigations, tracebacks and corrective action programs.

Monitor and maintain product quality standards, specifications, traceability and compliance systems and requirements.

Drive food safety culture, GMP standards, hygiene programs and environmental compliance across the site.

Lead sustainability initiatives, environmental reporting and continuous improvement programs.

Provide leadership, coaching and technical guidance to the Quality Assurance Officer and work closely with the Quality Control Supervisor and their team.

Analyse quality, compliance and sustainability data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.

Work side by side with Operations, Production, Grower Services, Sales and Marketing and Logistics to make quality part of everyday decisions across the business.

What you’ll bring

Relevant tertiary qualifications in Food Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science or a related discipline

Practical leadership style and an ability to work with people, solve problems and turn strong standards into everyday habits.

Proven experience in a Quality, Food Safety or Compliance leadership role within food manufacturing, fresh produce, agricultural processing or FMCG environments.

Strong working knowledge of HACCP, SQF, BRC or other GFSI-recognised food safety standards.

Sound understanding of FSANZ requirements, retailer standards and regulatory compliance obligations.

Experience managing internal and external audits and driving corrective actions.

Knowledge of HARPS, Freshcare, DAFF export programs, MICOR and SEDEX requirements will be highly regarded.

Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.

Excellent analytical, problem-solving and investigation capabilities.

High attention to detail with exceptional documentation and organisational skills.

A proactive, hands-on approach and a passion for continuous improvement.

Join Mildura Fruit Company and help safeguard the quality, safety and sustainability of premium Australian produce enjoyed around the world—all while building your career in the sunshine and relaxed lifestyle of Mildura.