Quality Assurance Manager

Fast Fuel Meals; Sydney; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Yes Chef Meals is seeking a dedicated Quality Assurance Officer to join the QA team on the production floor. You will ensure every product leaving the facility is safe, compliant and meets quality standards, while collaborating with operations to uphold a strong food safety culture.

The role involves hands-on daily QA checks, record-keeping, and training staff in GMP and QA procedures, with opportunities to contribute to internal and external audits.

Qualifications

• Degree in a QA/relevant food science field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in QA within a food manufacturing setting a plus.
• Familiarity with HACCP, GMP, FSANZ and GFSI schemes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily QA checks in production, including CCP monitoring and temperature checks.
• Verify labels, dates, and allergen changeovers.
• Document QA records and ensure audit readiness.
• Identify on-line quality issues and coordinate with production to fix.
• Investigate non-conformances and customer complaints with root-cause analysis.
• Train staff in food safety, GMP, hygiene and QA procedures.
• Support audits (SQF, WSEP, supplier approvals) and HACCP maintenance.
• Look for continuous improvement opportunities in QA and production.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

Yes Chef Meals is a fast-growing, innovative producer of high-quality, health-focused ready meals, distributed nationally through major retailers and direct channels. We operate from a high-risk processing facility that complies with GFSI and Australian retailer standards, and we’re passionate about quality, safety, and staying ahead in this fast-moving food industry.

About the Role and Key Responsibilities

We’re looking for a dedicated, detail-oriented and proactive Quality Assurance Officer to join our QA team. This is a hands-on, floor-based role. You’ll spend most of your day in the production environment, working closely with the operations and production teams to make sure every product leaving our facility is safe, compliant and meets our quality standards.

At Yes Chef, quality isn’t just a QA job. It’s a shared commitment across the whole operation. We’re looking for someone with the confidence to speak up on the floor, the attention to detail to catch issues early, and the drive to help build a strong food safety and quality culture.

You will:

Carry out daily QA checks across production, including pre-op inspections, CCP monitoring, temperature and metal detection checks, label and date code verification, and allergen changeover checks

Complete and verify QA records and documentation, making sure they are accurate, current and audit-ready

Identify quality issues on the line, place product on hold where needed, and work with production to fix problems on the spot

Help investigate non-conformances and customer complaints, including root cause analysis and corrective actions

Help train production staff in food safety, GMP, hygiene and quality procedures

Support internal audits, GMP inspections and supplier approval activities

Assist during external, certification and customer audits (SQF, WSEP and other retailer standards)

Help maintain the HACCP plan, product specifications and the QA documentation system

Look for opportunities for continuous improvement across QA and production

You will have:

A qualification in Food Science, Microbiology or a related field, or equivalent experience in food manufacturing QA

At least 1-2 years’ QA experience in food manufacturing (chilled, ready-meal or high-risk experience highly regarded)

Working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, FSANZ and GFSI schemes such as SQF and WSEP (Woolworths)

Strong attention to detail and good record-keeping habits

The confidence to communicate with and challenge production teams when standards aren’t being met

Good organisational and problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage your time in a fast-paced environment

A genuine passion for food safety and quality

Willingness to work early starts and flexible shifts as production needs require

This role is key to the success of Yes Chef Meals. You’ll be part of a growing QA team, supported by our Technical Manager and external consultants, with clear KPIs and real opportunities to develop your skills and career. If you want to make a genuine impact on the floor rather than sit behind a desk, we’d love to hear from you.