Senior QA & Food Safety Lead — Chocolate

Hugo's Chocolates; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Hugo's Chocolates in Sydney, Australia, seeks an experienced QA professional to manage day-to-day quality assurance, food safety and compliance within our premium confectionery manufacturing operation. You will lead SQF, GMP, HACCP and GMP documentation, support NPD projects, and work across production, packaging and warehouse to drive continuous improvement while reporting to the QA Manager.

Minimum 10 years in food manufacturing, strong knowledge of SQF/BRC/GFSI standards, and a proven track

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' experience in a food manufacturing or FMCG environment, preferably in a QA or food safety role.
• Strong working knowledge of SQF, BRC and/or other GFSI-recognised food safety certification standards, with the capability to support or lead an SQF audit if required.
• Demonstrated experience in GMP, HACCP, food safety and quality management systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing quality issues, non-conformances, investigations and corrective actions independently.
• Demonstrated experience supporting NPD projects within an FMCG environment.
• Experience with product specifications, PIFs and artwork review.
• Strong understanding of allergen management and food safety programs.
• Sound understanding of warehouse operations and WHS/OHS requirements within a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership and make sound decisions while working collaboratively across the business.

Responsibilities

• Work independently across Production, Packaging and Warehouse teams to manage day-to-day quality activities, issue resolution and continuous improvement.
• Maintain a strong factory-floor presence, identifying and addressing and resolving food safety hazards, quality deviations and GMP issues.
• Conduct incoming raw material inspections and in-line product assessments in accordance with approved specifications.
• Review production records to ensure accuracy, completeness and traceability.
• Support QA manager via independent review and maintenance to QA documentation and records to support food safety, quality and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct finished product assessments and issue Certificates of Analysis (CoAs).
• Conduct GMP audits, raise non-conformance reports and manage corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct environmental and hand swabbing, collect retention samples and coordinate external microbiological, chemical and allergen testing.
• Independently conduct customer complaint investigations. Investigate root-cause analysis, provide corrective action plans and develop preventative actions to mitigate future risk.
• Independently conduct product shelf-life assessments, including sensory evaluation and coordination of testing.
• Maintain and update the Approved Supplier Register, including supplier approval and onboarding for NPD projects.
• Review, maintain and update Food Safety Policies, SOPs and Procedures within the Quality Management System.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the SQF Code and support ongoing compliance, audit readiness and internal audits.
• Possess the capability to step up and support or lead an SQF certification audit if required as a contingency.
• Participate in the HACCP team to review and update HACCP Plans, including hazard analysis for new products and processes.
• Support NPD projects from concept through to commercialisation, ensuring food safety, quality and regulatory compliance.
• Create and maintain product specifications and PIFs in accordance with customer briefs, including NPD and customer-specific developments.
• Review artwork for new and existing products for labelling compliance, including claims, allergens and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external testing for NPD products, including trials, first production runs and validations.
• Support allergen management programs and ensure appropriate controls are maintained across manufacturing and warehouse operations.
• Possess a sound understanding of inbound and outbound material controls and warehouse operations within a food manufacturing environment.
• Support WHS/OHS requirements and identify and escalation workplace hazards and unsafe practices.
• Conduct induction and ongoing Food Safety and Quality training for new and existing staff.

Skills

SQF knowledge

GMP/HACCP

Food safety auditing

QA leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Job description

Hugo's Chocolates in Sydney, Australia, seeks an experienced QA professional to manage day-to-day quality assurance, food safety and compliance within our premium confectionery manufacturing operation. You will lead SQF, GMP, HACCP and GMP documentation, support NPD projects, and work across production, packaging and warehouse to drive continuous improvement while reporting to the QA Manager.

Minimum 10 years in food manufacturing, strong knowledge of SQF/BRC/GFSI standards, and a proven track