Quality Assurance Manager

R Radford and Son; Warragul; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

R. Radford & Son in Warragul, Victoria, is seeking a QA Manager to lead the site's Quality Assurance and food safety programs within a fast-paced meat processing facility.

This hands-on leadership role works closely with production, management, regulators, auditors, and customers to maintain high standards. You will drive continuous improvement of HACCP, GMP, and QA documentation, ensure regulatory compliance, and support the kill floor and processing teams with proactive problem-solving to

Qualifications

• Experience leading QA teams in meat processing or abattoir environments.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and quality assurance principles.
• Familiarity with Australian meat processing regulation and audits.
• Excellent problem-solving and investigation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the QA function and team on site.
• Maintain and improve quality management and food safety systems.
• Ensure compliance with meat processing legislation and standards.
• Monitor operations on the processing floor and support kill/processing teams.
• Manage non-conformances, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Identify trends and implement long-term improvements.

Skills

QA leadership

HACCP knowledge

Quality systems

Regulatory compliance

Job description

Reporting to the Plant 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. This is a key leadership position that requires someone who is practical, organised, and comfortable being hands-on within a fast-paced meat processing environment. The role will provide leadership and direction to the QA team while working collaboratively with plant supervisors, management, employees, regulators, auditors, and customers. 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, manage, and develop the site's Quality Assurance function and QA team, fostering strong communication and the confidence to address non-compliance when required.

Maintain and continuously improve the site's Quality Management and food safety systems, ensuring robust documentation and compliance.

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

Maintain a strong daily presence on the processing floor to actively monitor operational compliance and support the kill floor and processing teams.

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

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

Oversee hygiene, sanitation, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), PPE, and operational compliance requirements, ensuring pre-operational and operational inspections are completed correctly and within required timeframes.

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

Identify trends and recurring issues across operations and implement practical, long-term 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, audit, and legislative requirements applicable to Australian red meat processing.

Strong investigation skills coupled with a practical, accountable, and solutions-focused approach.

Excellent record-keeping standards and good computer literacy, with experience maintaining both electronic and paper-based QA systems.

Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with floor staff, management, regulators, and external auditors.

About us

For over 80 years, R. Radford & Son has been a cornerstone of the Gippsland community and a trusted leader in Australian meat processing. Operating from our state-of-the-art facility in Warragul, we specialise in high-quality, ethical, and sustainable processing, servicing both domestic and international markets. We pride ourselves on our uncompromising standards of food safety, product integrity, animal welfare, and community trust.