Quality Assurance and Operations Lead

Zest Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established UK food business is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance and Operations Lead to manage a large on-site team. The role focuses on ensuring the highest food safety standards while leading and developing staff. Strong technical knowledge and people leadership skills are essential. Responsibilities include managing quality systems, overseeing audits, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing sizeable Quality teams in food manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety legislation and retailer expectations.
• A confident leader able to inspire teams and manage performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop a large Quality team (20+ staff).
• Maintain and continuously improve food safety and quality systems.
• Oversee internal and external audits, ensuring corrective actions.

Skills

Managing sizeable Quality teams

Knowledge of BRC and HACCP

Strong leadership skills

Excellent communication

Job description

A well-established UK food business supplying major retailers is seeking an experienced and people-focused Quality Assurance and Operations Lead to lead a large on-site Quality team and ensure products consistently meet the highest standards of food safety, legality, and retailer compliance.

This is a key leadership position, responsible for managing a substantial Quality team across the site. While strong technical knowledge of food safety standards is essential, this role is primarily about people leadership, performance management, and developing a strong quality culture throughout the business.

You will drive high standards, support continuous improvement, and work collaboratively with production, operations, technical, and supply chain teams to maintain and improve site performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage, and develop a large Quality team (20+ staff), ensuring strong performance, engagement, and capability development.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's food safety and quality systems in line with BRC, HACCP, legal, and retailer requirements.
• Oversee internal and external audits, ensuring robust corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead investigations into non-conformances and drive root cause and preventive measures.
• Work collaboratively with production and other site functions to improve results and implement best practice.
• Deliver coaching and training to support a strong and sustainable quality culture.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives across the site.

What You'll Need:

• Proven experience managing sizeable Quality teams in food manufacturing, ideally 20+ reports or across multiple shifts.
• Strong working knowledge of BRC, HACCP, food safety legislation, and retailer expectations.
• A confident leader able to inspire teams, manage performance, and build skills and accountability.
• Excellent communicator who works well cross-functionally and drives solutions, not just reports problems.
• Highly organised, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.