QA Lead: Food Quality & Compliance

Zest Recruitment Group; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest Recruitment Group is seeking a Quality Supervisor for a well‑established food manufacturer in the West Midlands. The role is hands‑on, supporting the production team on food safety and maintaining high standards, with progression potential to Quality Manager.

Reporting to the Technical Manager, you will lead the QA team, oversee audits, CCPs/QCPs, lab management and training. You’ll develop training records and drive continuous quality improvement.

Qualifications

• At least one year’s experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Level 2 Food Safety and HACCP as a minimum.
• An understanding of food safety legislation, GMP and third‑party audit requirements.
• Hands‑on approach and confidence working alongside production teams.
• Ability to train and coach staff and drive quality improvement.
• An organised, methodical approach, strong written and verbal communication, and good numeracy.
• Computer literacy and comfort with new systems.
• GCSE‑level education; a degree in food science, nutrition or a related science is advantageous but not essential.
• Ambition to progress, and a drive to develop leadership and technical skills toward a Quality Manager role.
• Desirable: understanding of production processes and machinery, and experience managing customer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily quality audits of production records, including CCPs and QCPs, and spot-check production paperwork.
• Lead and guide the QA team, and work closely with production and hygiene teams so checks are completed accurately and on time.
• Deliver food safety training such as CCP and allergen awareness to production and QA staff, and keep training records up to date.
• Manage laboratory sampling (product, allergen and environmental), review results, and handle out-of-specification results through root cause analysis.
• Carry out metal detection verification, checkweigher checks and chiller/freezer temperature monitoring, and ensure the calibration programme is followed.
• Run internal audits, including glass and hard plastic, GMP and traceability exercises.
• Complete weekly shelf‑life checks on raw materials, working with specification technologists on supplier extensions.
• Issue new recipes and QA standards to production, and raise internal concessions where appropriate.
• Support customer complaint investigations, and support the Technical Manager during external audits.

Skills

Quality assurance

Food safety

GMP

Audit experience

Root cause analysis

Training & coaching

Communication

Education

GCSE education

Degree in food science/nutrition

Job description

Zest Recruitment Group is seeking a Quality Supervisor for a well‑established food manufacturer in the West Midlands. The role is hands‑on, supporting the production team on food safety and maintaining high standards, with progression potential to Quality Manager.

Reporting to the Technical Manager, you will lead the QA team, oversee audits, CCPs/QCPs, lab management and training. You’ll develop training records and drive continuous quality improvement.