QA Manager, QA Manager

Pilgrim's Europe; Bodmin; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous holiday allowance

Company pension scheme

Life assurance

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Employee discount platform

Training and development opportunities

Career progression

Support for professional quals

Friendly team culture

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Pilgrim's Europe is seeking a QA Manager to lead the Quality Assurance function at our Bodmin site. The role focuses on safeguarding food safety, legality, quality, and traceability while cultivating a high-performing QA team.

Key responsibilities include leading the QA team, managing NCRs and investigations, driving RCA and CAPA, and supporting audits from customers and third parties. The role demands strong leadership, decision-making, and stakeholder management in a fast-paced manufacturing

Qualifications

• Essential: Level 3 Food Safety and Level 3 HACCP qualifications.
• Essential: Minimum of 5 GCSEs including English, Maths and Science.
• Desirable: Food-related degree or 3+ years in food industry.
• Desirable: Sensory Analysis qualification or Microbiology qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the site QA team with required skills and resources.
• Support production in delivering products meeting specification.
• Manage NCRs, concessions, customer complaints and investigations.
• Drive root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Monitor and manage site Technical and Quality KPIs for improvements.
• Oversee swabbing and sampling programmes and address out-of-spec results.
• Lead GMP audit programme and support audits from customers/third parties.
• Ensure actions from internal and external audits are completed.
• Promote continuous improvement, food safety and quality excellence.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external customers.

Skills

Leadership

Quality systems

Root Cause Analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication

GMP knowledge

Education

Level 3 Food Safety

Level 3 HACCP

GCSEs (5)

Job description

QA Manager

Bodmin, Cornwall

Contract Type - Permanent, Full-time, site-based

Are you a passionate Quality Assurance professional with experience in food manufacturing? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where food safety, quality, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything you do?

We are looking for a QA Manager to lead our Quality Assurance function at our Bodmin site. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in maintaining the highest standards of food safety, legality, quality, and traceability while developing a high-performing QA team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the site QA team, ensuring appropriate skills, knowledge, and resources are in place.
• Support production teams in delivering products that consistently meet specification.
• Manage non-conformance reports (NCRs), concessions, customer complaints, and associated investigations.
• Drive effective root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Monitor and manage site Technical and Quality KPIs, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Oversee swabbing and sampling programmes, ensuring all activities are completed on time and any out-of-specification results are addressed.
• Lead the site's GMP audit programme and support customer and third-party audits.
• Ensure completion of actions arising from internal and external audits.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, food safety, and quality excellence.
• Build strong working relationships with both internal stakeholders and external customers and agencies.
• Champion health and safety standards across the department.

About You

We're looking for someone who can balance attention to detail with strong leadership and decision-making skills.

You Will Ideally Have

• Experience in a Quality Assurance or Technical role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Experience conducting internal audits.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, quality systems, and GMP standards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to make informed decisions quickly in relation to food safety, legality, and quality.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) experience.
• Good IT and reporting skills.
• A collaborative, team-oriented approach with a passion for developing others.

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 Food Safety qualification (or working towards).
• Level 3 HACCP qualification (or working towards).
• Minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent), including English, Maths, and Science.

Desirable

• Food-related degree or at least three years' experience within the food industry.
• Formal Sensory Analysis qualification.
• Qualification in Microbiology.

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact within a business committed to delivering safe, high-quality products. You'll be part of a supportive team environment where continuous improvement, professional development, and operational excellence are valued every day.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Employee discount platform
• Training and development opportunities
• Career progression within a leading food manufacturing business
• Support for professional qualifications and ongoing learning
• Friendly and collaborative team culture
• Free on-site parking

What You'll Gain

• The opportunity to lead and shape the site's Quality Assurance function
• A key leadership role influencing food safety, quality, and operational excellence
• Exposure to customer and third-party audits in a highly regulated environment
• The chance to develop and mentor a talented QA team
• A culture that values continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability