Interim Food Safety & Quality Manager

Randstad España; Lier; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad is collaborating with a leading international confectionery and food manufacturer to recruit an Interim Food Safety & Quality Manager for their Lier site in Belgium. The role is a 6‑month assignment designed to ensure leadership, continuity, and compliance across all quality systems during a temporary leave.

Reporting to the Plant Manager and the Global FS&Q Director, you will oversee a team of 5 quality professionals, sustain GFSI certifications, manage audits, and drive continuous

Qualifications

• 7+ years in Food Safety & Quality leadership within food manufacturing
• Experience with confectionery, chocolate, or high-care sectors preferred
• Fluent in Dutch/Flemish and English for local plant communication and corporate reporting

Responsibilities

• Uphold and maintain GFSI benchmark certifications (BRC, IFS) and ensure EU food safety compliance
• Lead, mentor, and empower a 5-FTE quality team on-site
• Oversee root cause analysis, CAPA, and GMP inspection programs via digital shopfloor platforms
• Act as technical point of contact for external auditors, authorities, clients, and suppliers
• Support regional hub projects with travel within Belgium, including sister sites

Skills

Food Safety & Quality leadership

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Food Science or related

Tools

GFSI (BRC/IFS)

HACCP

Job description

Are you an experienced Food Safety & Quality leader looking for a high-impact interim challenge within a premium manufacturing environment?

At Randstad, we are currently partnering with a leading international confectionery and food manufacturing group to recruit an Interim Food Safety & Quality Manager for their production plant located in Lier, Belgium.

This is a 6-month assignment to ensure leadership, operational continuity, and compliance across all quality systems on-site during a temporary leave.

The Mission & Key Responsibilities:

Reporting directly to the Plant Manager and functionally to the Global FS&Q Director, you will manage an on-site team of 5 quality professionals and drive the site’s food safety culture:

• Standards & Compliance: Uphold and maintain GFSI benchmark certifications (BRC, IFS) and ensure full compliance with EU food safety regulations.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and empower the local quality and food safety team (5 FTEs).
• Continuous Improvement: Oversee Root Cause Analysis, FMEA risk assessments, CAPA, and GMP inspection programs via modern digital shopfloor platforms.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as the technical point of contact for external auditors, authorities, major clients, and suppliers (including occasional audits).
• Multi-site Collaboration: Support regional hub projects with occasional travel within Belgium (including visits to sister sites as required).

Profile Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience: 7+ years of proven track record in Food Safety & Quality leadership roles within the food manufacturing industry (confectionery, chocolate, or high-care sectors strongly preferred).
• Technical Expertise: In-depth mastery of BRC / IFS schemes, allergen management, HACCP, traceability systems, and crisis management.
• Languages: Professional fluency in both Dutch/Flemish (essential for local plant communication) and English (corporate reporting level).
• Availability & Mobility: Full availability for the complete assignment window and willingness to travel within Belgium (~40%).

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Drive quality standards in a high-reputation production facility specialized in premium products.
• Direct visibility with both plant leadership and corporate quality executives.
• A collaborative environment where your technical expertise and decision-making will have an immediate impact.

Interested in exploring this assignment or know someone in your network?