QA Manager

DRNewitt; Wellingborough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

DRNewitt is seeking a QA Manager in Northamptonshire to lead the site Quality Assurance function, ensuring food safety, quality and continuous improvement across production teams. The role involves managing audits, driving CAPAs, and supporting site projects with technical approvals.

The ideal candidate will have strong BRCGS knowledge, HACCP expertise, and proven leadership in a busy manufacturing environment within the food industry.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of BRCGS standards and customer codes of practice.
• Excellent understanding of HACCP, VACCP and TACCP.
• Knowledge of food safety legislation and Quality Management Systems.
• Experience managing internal and external audits.
• Strong understanding of traceability, compliance and corrective action management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the site's QA function, ensuring BRCGS compliance and customer requirements.
• Drive audits and corrective actions across shifts with Production, Hygiene and Engineering.
• Oversee internal audit programme and close out actions on time.
• Provide technical approvals for new product development and site projects.
• Support group technical initiatives and budgets.
• Deliver food safety training and briefings.
• Deputise for the Technical Manager when required.

Skills

BRCGS standards

Audits

HACCP

Traceability

Food safety

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Quality mgmt

Job description

Job Description

QA Manager

Location: Northamptonshire

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000

Are you an experienced Quality Assurance professional with a passion for food safety, quality and continuous improvement?

We are seeking a driven and proactive Quality Assurance Manager to lead the site Quality Assurance function within a successful food manufacturing business.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious technical professional to take ownership of site quality standards, lead a dedicated QA function and work closely with Production, Hygiene, Engineering and Technical teams to ensure the highest levels of food safety, compliance and product quality.

You'll also gain valuable leadership exposure, supporting major customer and third-party audits and deputising for the Technical Manager when required.

The Role – Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the site's Quality Assurance function, ensuring compliance with BRCGS standards, customer requirements and relevant food safety legislation.
• Work collaboratively with Production, Engineering, Hygiene and Health & Safety teams to drive consistent standards across all shifts.
• Manage the internal audit programme, ensuring non-conformances are thoroughly investigated and corrective actions completed.
• Ensure actions arising from BRCGS and customer audits are effectively implemented and closed out within agreed timescales.
• Oversee site traceability systems, ensuring accurate documentation, verification and compliance.
• Play an active role within the HACCP, VACCP and TACCP teams.
• Lead the technical aspects of customer visits, retailer audits and certification audits.
• Provide technical approval for new product development and site projects.
• Work alongside Group Technical teams on wider business initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
• Deliver technical training and food safety briefings across the site.
• Support the management of the Technical department budget.
• Provide cover for the Hygiene Manager when required.
• Deputise for the Technical Manager during periods of absence.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for an individual with a strong technical background within food manufacturing, who combines excellent technical knowledge with the confidence and ability to influence, challenge and drive standards across a busy manufacturing environment.

Technical Experience:

• Strong knowledge of BRCGS standards and customer codes of practice.
• Excellent understanding of HACCP, VACCP and TACCP.
• Knowledge of food safety legislation and Quality Management Systems.
• Experience managing internal and external audits.
• Strong understanding of traceability, compliance and corrective action management.

Leadership & Communication:

• The ability to influence and engage teams across multiple departments.
• Confidence in leading customer, retailer and certification audits.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience delivering training, coaching and developing colleagues.
• The ability to build effective working relationships at all levels.

Personal Attributes:

• Passionate about food safety, quality and continuous improvement.
• Highly organised, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Self-motivated, proactive and able to work independently.
• Confident prioritising workloads, delegating and managing competing demands.
• Resilient, approachable and comfortable challenging standards when necessary.