Quality Assurance Manager

Pure Pet Food; Cleckheaton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday

Annual bonus 10%

Dog food allowance

On-site parking

Pension

Cycle to work

EV car scheme

Volunteer days

Job summary

Pure Pet Food is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the QA team across manufacturing and fulfilment, upholding safety, quality and legality, while driving continuous improvement. You will embed QA processes into daily operations and work with Production and Compliance to resolve issues.

A SALSA/BRCGS background and Level 3 Food Safety certification are highly valued, with a supportive culture and opportunities for personal development.

Qualifications

• Experience managing or supervising QA in a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience working within SALSA, BRCGS or equivalent accredited manufacturing environment.
• Food Safety Level 3 or above.
• Internal auditing experience.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to influence operational teams and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong investigation and problem-solving skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the QA team, ensuring high standards of performance and engagement.
• Manage day-to-day QA activities across manufacturing and fulfilment operations, setting priorities and workloads.
• Maintain and improve the site QMS, ensuring compliance with SALSA, food safety and legal requirements.
• Promote a culture of food safety, hygiene, quality and continuous improvement.
• Oversee HACCP, CCPs, prerequisite programmes, validation and quality control activities.
• Lead investigations into non-conformances and CAPAs with root-cause analysis.
• Monitor quality trends, KPIs, complaints and testing to drive improvements.
• Lead internal audits and support external audits and regulatory inspections.
• Ensure production, quality and monitoring records are accurate and maintained.
• Oversee material and finished product specifications and testing programmes.

Skills

QA management

Food safety (SALSA/BRCGS)

Food safety level 3+

Internal auditing

Organisation

Communication

Problem solving

Driving licence

Job description

At Pure, we're passionate about transforming dogs' lives through better nutrition. Born from a friendship between two dog-loving friends and a shared vision, we've grown into something truly special - a UK-based company that's leading the pack in healthy, tailored dog nutrition.

We're not just another pet food company – we put paws and people first with dogs and their owners driving our decisions. We craft healthy, perfectly portioned meals that delight dogs and keep bowls sparkling clean. But what really makes us different is how we support our pet families every step of the way. Through expert advice and personalised communication, we're right there beside them on their journey of giving their four-legged family members the best possible life.

What’s in it for you...

• An annual salary of £35,000 - £40,000 DPE.
• 33 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
• Enrolment within our discretionary business performance 10% annual bonus plan (following successful probation).
• Free dog food up to £100 per month.
• Small business with a family feel!
• Salary exchange company Pension
• Team social events and the opportunity to support local charities, with 2 paid volunteer days available each year.
• Free on-site parking.
• A supportive working environment within a very dynamic growing business that supports personal development goals.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• EV SS Car Scheme.
• Contracted to 38.75 hours per week, working Monday – Friday.

The role…

Our Quality Assurance Manager plays a key leadership role within Pure Pet Food, ensuring that our high standards of food safety, quality, legality and hygiene are consistently maintained across both our manufacturing and fulfilment operations. Working closely with Production, Operations and the Head of Compliance, the QA Manager leads the Quality Assurance team, drives continuous improvement and ensures that quality systems remain effective, practical and embedded within day-to-day operations.

The role is focused on Food Safety, Quality & Legality, Health & Safety support and continuous improvement. Reporting to the Head of Compliance, the QA Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Quality Assurance function, developing the QA team and supporting operational excellence across the business.

Duties and responsibilities of the role are:

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the QA team, ensuring high standards of performance, accountability and engagement.
• Manage day-to-day QA activities across manufacturing and fulfilment operations, setting priorities and allocating workloads.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with SALSA, food safety, quality and legal requirements.
• Promote a strong culture of food safety, hygiene, quality and continuous improvement across the business.
• Oversee HACCP, CCPs, prerequisite programmes, validation, verification and quality control activities.
• Lead investigations into non-conformances, customer complaints and quality issues, driving robust root cause analysis and effective CAPAs.
• Monitor quality trends, KPIs, complaints, testing and non-conformances to identify and implement improvements.
• Lead internal audit programmes and support external audits, customer visits and regulatory inspections.
• Ensure production, quality and monitoring records are accurate, complete and effectively maintained.
• Oversee raw material, packaging and finished product specifications, environmental monitoring and testing programmes.
• Work closely with Operations, Compliance and other departments to resolve quality issues and improve operational performance.
• Support supplier quality, pest control, hygiene verification and cleaning effectiveness programmes.
• Coach and train production teams on food safety, hygiene and quality standards, including maintaining the site training matrix.
• Promote GMP, "Clean as You Go" and high standards of housekeeping throughout production.
• Ensure Health & Safety is prioritised within the QA team, including reporting hazards and near misses.
• Deputise for the Head of Compliance on day-to-day quality matters when required.
• Line manage and develop the QA team and hygiene operative, including one-to-ones, performance reviews and personal development.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise and strengthen quality systems and processes.
• Support the introduction of new procedures, equipment and process improvements.
• Use quality data and trends to proactively reduce complaints, waste and non-conformances.
• Share best practice across both operational sites and foster a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.

About you…

• Paws & People First: Your top priority is to keep the customers’ dogs safe and maintain a good working relationship with your colleagues, by ensuring adherence to the procedures and leading by example as a QA and a Pure Employee.
• Ahead of the pack: You bring strong technical expertise and elevate those around you by sharing knowledge, giving and receiving feedback with consideration for others and communicating clearly across other functional teams.
• New tricks: You’re comfortable working in an adapting environment, unafraid to carry out new tasks.
• Best in Show: Your aim is to be the best in what you are doing to make your pack proud.

It’s essential that you have:

• Experience managing or supervising Quality Assurance within a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience working within a SALSA, BRCGS or equivalent accredited manufacturing environment. Strong knowledge of food safety legislation and Quality Management Systems, at least on a SALSA level.
• Food Safety Level 3 or above.
• Internal auditing experience.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to influence operational teams and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong investigation and problem-solving skills.
• Full UK driving licence

It would be great if you have:

• Experience managing customer complaints and CAPA programmes.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis tools.
• Experience managing supplier quality issues.
• Experience leading, mentoring QA teams.
• Understanding of Health & Safety management systems.

At Pure Pet Food, our promises put Paws & People First. We’re committed to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, included, and able to thrive. By celebrating diversity, promoting equity, and embracing new ideas, we aim to be Best in Show for our people as well as their pets. If you’re passionate, curious, and want to be part of a team that’s Ahead of the Pack, we’d love to hear from you.

Recruitment agencies – we are managing recruitment for this role directly and not currently engaging with recruitment agencies. Any unsolicited CV’s sent to Pure or members of the team will be treated as direct applicants unless agreement has been made in writing to work directly with the agency on this role.