Quality Assurance Lead

Irca Group; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ingredient provider in Peterborough is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead their Quality Team. This role involves ensuring product quality and compliance with safety standards while driving improvements across departments. The ideal candidate should have proven leadership skills in food manufacturing, strong knowledge of HACCP and quality requirements, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Join a diverse environment that encourages innovation and professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Career advancement opportunities

Dynamic work environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a quality leadership role.
• Strong management capabilities to lead a team.
• Experience in food manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Quality Team.
• Drive improvements in factory standards.
• Support timely completion of audits.
• Ensure product quality meets specifications.
• Manage complaint investigations.

Skills

Quality leadership experience

Management skills

Food manufacturing experience

HACCP and GFSI knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Company

IRCA Group is a leading international B2B provider of semi‑finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry and gelato markets, serving independent producers and large food manufacturers. Core products include chocolate, decorations, creams, inclusions, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other bakery/pastry ingredients.

Headquartered in Italy, IRCA Group has a strong track record of growth over the last decade. It has 22 manufacturing facilities worldwide, 2,400+ employees, and €1 billion in revenues.

What We Offer

IRCA fosters a dynamic environment, embracing diversity and valuing diverse perspectives and international experiences, offering a stimulating context. We promote professional growth by providing tailor‑made development programs and career advancement opportunities locally and internationally.

With locations worldwide, we offer the chance to work on international projects, collaborate across cultures, and gain a global perspective. Joining our team means becoming part of a global community of passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference.

If you are looking for:

• a competitive salary
• stimulating challenges
• the chance to contribute your ideas for process improvement in an ever‑growing company

IRCA is the right place.

Role Overview

We are seeking a dedicated Quality Assurance Manager to lead and develop the Quality Team. Reporting directly to the Quality Manager, the successful candidate will work closely with senior management across all departments to support the business growth and operational excellence. A strong leader who will drive continuous improvement agenda for quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Working closely cross functionally to drive improvements in factory standards
• Ensuring the production teams understand the required standard within the production and associated areas
• Supporting the quality team in the timely completion of audits
• Ensure the quality of product produced meets our specifications by (but not limited to):
• Ensuring sensory evaluation of product is completed
• QC checks are completed and accurately recorded in accordance with the procedure
• Microbiological and chemical testing is completed for non‑batch and by batch customer requirements
• Manage complaint investigations
• Support other functions in the investigation and root cause of issues raised by customers
• Escalate any food safety related complaints as required
• Report KPI’s to internal and central functions
• Develop and approve customer responses for complaints, including CAPA, supporting other functions in the completion and resolution of areas highlighted as part of the investigations.
• Conduct regular 121 sessions with direct reports to support, coach and develop
• Conduct absence and disciplinaries in‑line with policies and procedures
• Complete annual development plans with direct reports to support development

Qualifications & Skills

• Previous experience in a quality leadership role with proven management skills
• Ability to create and maintain a communication dataset
• Experience in food manufacturing
• Working knowledge of food safety and quality requirements (e.g. HACCP, GFSI certifications)
• Excellent interpersonal skills

At Irca, we believe that diversity is a fundamental value and a source of strength and innovation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, nationality, or any other dimension of diversity, feel welcomed, valued, and respected and encourage people of all natures to apply.