Quality Assurance Manager

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cash back

GP & counselling access

Free on-site parking

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the QA function at our site in Nottinghamshire. You will ensure compliance with customer, legal, food safety, and quality standards, working closely with retailers, production teams and senior management to uphold high site standards.

You will lead the QA team, drive audits, conduct gap analyses, and implement corrective actions. The role requires strong leadership, HACCP and Food Safety qualifications, and a full UK

Qualifications

• Experience leading QA in food manufacturing or fresh produce.
• Experience working with major UK retailers.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Standard.
• Experience conducting gap analyses and creating improvement plans.
• Experience managing customer audits and responding to retailer requirements.
• Proven people management and leadership abilities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the QA team to maintain robust quality and food safety standards.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS and customer standards.
• Manage internal audit programmes and drive corrective actions.
• Lead investigations into non-conformances and complaints.
• Review quality data and drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain and improve site quality management systems and documentation.
• Ensure GMP, hygiene, calibration, traceability, and food safety systems are followed.
• Provide training and coaching to QA personnel and operations teams.
• Support product quality initiatives and best-practice implementations.

Skills

QA leadership

People management

BRCGS Food Safety

Gap analysis

Customer audits

Communication

Root cause analysis

Continuous improvement

Fresh produce experience

Education

HACCP Level 3

Food Safety Level 3

Full UK driving licence

Tools

GMP

Job description

Quality Assurance Manager

Annual Salary: £40,000 - £45,000

Location: NG22, Nottinghamshire

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

We are seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead and develop the Quality Assurance function at our site. This role is crucial for ensuring compliance with customer, legal, food safety, and quality standards across the business. The successful candidate will work closely with customers, retailers, production teams, and senior management to maintain and continuously improve site standards and compliance.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Lead, manage, and develop the QA team to ensure robust quality and food safety standards are maintained.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS requirements and customer standards.
• Manage internal audit programmes and ensure corrective actions are completed effectively.
• Conduct gap analysis against retailer codes of practice, BRCGS standards, and customer requirements.
• Lead investigations into non-conformances, customer complaints, quality incidents, and product holds.
• Review quality data and trends, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Maintain and improve site quality management systems and documentation.
• Ensure GMP, hygiene, glass and plastic, calibration, traceability, and food safety systems are implemented and monitored.
• Provide training and coaching to QA personnel and operational teams.
• Support product quality improvement initiatives and implementation of best practices.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Manager, or senior QA leadership role within the food manufacturing or fresh produce sector.
• Experience working directly with major UK retailers.
• Strong working knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Standard.
• Proven experience conducting gap analysis and implementing improvement plans.
• Experience managing customer audits and responding to retailer requirements.
• Strong people management and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• HACCP Level 3 (minimum).
• Food Safety Level 3 (minimum).
• Full UK driving licence.
• Desirable: Fresh produce experience, Internal Auditor qualification, experience with retailer standards, root cause analysis and continuous improvement training.

Benefits:

• Employee health cash back plan.
• 24/7 access to GP and counselling.
• Free on-site parking.
• Supportive and friendly team environment.