Quality Assurance Manager

The Oval Partnership; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension

Healthcare

Annual leave 25 days

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

The Oval Partnership is partnering with a specialist food company to recruit a Quality Assurance Manager who will lead and develop the QA Technologists and elevate QA activities onsite and across their international co-manufacturing network.

Reporting to the Head of Quality, the role combines people development, onsite operational excellence and international supplier management, ensuring effective root-cause analysis and corrective actions for customer complaints and non-conformances.

Qualifications

• University degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, or Food Science.
• Experience leading QA teams and mentoring staff.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and FSSC 22000 requirements.
• Willingness to travel internationally, primarily in Europe.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: manage and develop a team of QA staff.
• Onsite QA & Food Safety: act as HACCP Team Leader and drive GMP excellence.
• Co-Manufacturer Management: oversee QA with European co-manufacturers and investigations.
• Industrialisation Support: QA presence at co-manufacturer trials and production runs.
• Audit Readiness: support readiness for internal and external audits.

Skills

Team leadership

Quality management

Root Cause Analysis

Communication

Education

University degree in Microbiology/Chemistry/Food Science

Tools

QMS software

GMP auditing tools

Job description

The Oval Partnership is currently supporting a specialist food company to recruit a Quality Assurance Manager to lead and develop the QA Technologists and elevate the QA activities onsite as well as through their international co-manufacturing network.

Reporting to the Head of Quality, the QA Manager role is split between people development, onsite operational excellence, and international supplier management ensuring effective Root Cause and Analysis is completed in relation to customer complaints and non-conformances.

Key Responsibilities of the Quality Assurance (QA) Team Manager:

• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and develop a team of three direct reports.
• Onsite QA & Food Safety: Act as the HACCP Team Leader driving GMP excellence and auditing standards.
• Co-Manufacturer Management: Oversee quality relationships across European co-manufacturers, leading non-conformance and complaint investigations using structured RCA.
• Industrialisation Support: Ensure QA presence at co manufacturer trials and 1st/2nd production runs.
• Audit Readiness: Support the wider business in maintaining readiness for internal and external audits

What We Are Looking For:

• A Natural Coach: Proven experience in leading, motivating, and developing individuals.
• Technical Expertise: Strong working knowledge of QMS, GMP, HACCP, and FSSC 22000 requirements within a food manufacturing environment.
• Problem Solvers: Experience leading quality investigations and utilising structured Root Cause Analysis.
• Travel Flexibility: Willingness and availability to travel internationally (primarily Europe) at relatively short notice, typically at least once a month, to attend trials and audit co-manufacturers.
• Education: A university degree (Microbiology, Chemistry, or Food Sciences preferred) or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary and a discretionary bonus scheme.
• Hybrid working with flexible hours
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and a Christmas shutdown.
• Excellent pension scheme (up to 10% employer matched contribution).
• Additional healthcare and welfare benefits

Please note, Visa sponsorship is not available for this role now or in the future, the successful candidate will be required to hold full and indefinite leave to work and live in the UK and be able to travel within Europe unrestricted.