QA Manager

The Sterling Choice; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sterling Choice is seeking a QA Manager for a busy food manufacturing operation.

Reporting to the Site Head of Technical, you will lead QA Supervisors and Technicians, ensure GMP, HACCP and BRCGS AA standards, and partner with Production to drive durable improvements.

You will engage across the factory floor, conduct audits, support customer visits, and develop the QA team to raise the site-wide quality culture.

Qualifications

• Experience leading QA teams in a busy food manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of GMP and HACCP principles.
• Experience coordinating internal audits and customer visits.

Responsibilities

• Lead QA Supervisors and Technicians to maintain site standards.
• Drive improvements with Production to ensure sustainable changes.
• Ensure BRCGS AA readiness and audit preparedness.
• Investigate non-conformances and drive root-cause solutions.

Skills

QA management

Team leadership

Root cause analysis

Audits

Process improvement

Communication

Education

Level 3 HACCP

Food Safety qualification

Job description

A good QA Manager knows when something isn't right. A great one makes sure it doesn't keep happening.

And that's exactly the kind of person this food manufacturing business is looking for.

You'll be joining an established manufacturing operation where food safety, quality and consistency are critical to everything that happens on the factory floor.

Reporting into the Site Head of Technical, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day QA function, leading QA Supervisors and Technicians and making sure standards are maintained across the operation.

But this isn't about spending your days checking paperwork and chasing corrective actions.

You'll be expected to get out into the factory, understand what's happening, challenge where necessary and work with Production to make improvements that actually stick.

Whether it's investigating a customer complaint, identifying the root cause of a non-conformance or improving GMP standards, you'll have the opportunity to influence how the site operates rather than simply report on its performance.

And the people side is just as important.

You'll be responsible for developing your QA team, giving Supervisors the confidence and accountability to make decisions, and building strong relationships with the wider factory teams.

You'll also play an important part in maintaining the site's BRCGS AA standards, coordinating internal audits, supporting customer visits and making sure the factory is genuinely audit-ready every day.

They're looking for someone with Technical or QA experience within food manufacturing who has already led a team and understands the realities of working in a busy factory.

You'll need Level 3 HACCP and Food Safety qualifications, alongside the confidence to challenge standards, communicate with people at all levels and take ownership when things need improving.

You don't need to have all the answers on day one. But you do need the curiosity to ask the right questions, the confidence to challenge and the ability to bring people with you.

If that sounds like the kind of QA Manager you are, let's have a confidential conversation.