Quality Assurance Manager

Inspired Pet Nutrition; Thirsk; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pet nutrition manufacturer in Thirsk is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager. This role involves ensuring product quality and compliance with standards, leading audits, and developing a high-performing QA team. Candidates must have experience in food manufacturing quality assurance, a strong grasp of BRCGS standards, and excellent communication skills. Competitive salary and benefits offered, including a company bonus and flexible perks.

Benefits

Competitive salary

10% annual bonus

Free parking

Onsite electric charging

Bring your dog to work

Subsidised canteen

Discounted products

Free hot drinks

Flexible benefits

Heavily discounted pet food

Free Netflix/Spotify subscription

Qualifications

• Proven experience in quality assurance management within food manufacturing.
• Experience with BRCGS and customer codes of practice.
• Ability to conduct digital QMS implementation and internal audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Quality Assurance function
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS, retailer, and legal standards
• Develop and grow a high-performing QA team
• Oversee in-process and finished product checks

Skills

Quality Assurance management experience

Understanding of BRCGS standards

Internal audit management

Root Cause Analysis

Knowledge of food legislation

HACCP Level 3

Food Safety Level 3

Strong communication skills

Job description

Overview

We're excited to be recruiting for a Quality Assurance Manager to join our team in Thirsk. This is a key role ensuring that all products are manufactured to the highest food safety, quality, and compliance standards, safeguarding both customer confidence and brand integrity. Reporting into the Technical Manager, you'll lead the Quality Assurance function on site, managing the QMS, overseeing audits, driving a "Right First Time" culture, and developing a high-performing QA team.

At IPN, we're passionate about pet nutrition. We're an award-winning, innovative FMCG manufacturer with a growing family of brands including Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butchers and Classic Cat.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Quality Assurance function, embedding robust procedures and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS, retailer, legal, and group standards.
• Maintain and continually improve the site QMS, ensuring full traceability.
• Oversee in-process and finished product checks, ensuring product quality and labelling accuracy.
• Lead site audits, customer visits, and support investigations into nonconformance.
• Promote a culture of food safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Develop, mentor, and grow the QA team to build capability and career progression.
• Lead KPI metrics including CPMU, RFT, and audit scores.

Qualifications

• Proven Quality Assurance management experience in food or pet food manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of BRCGS standards and customer codes of practice.
• Experience in internal audit management and QMS implementation (digital desirable).
• Root Cause Analysis problem-solving capability.
• Knowledge of food legislation and compliance requirements.
• Lead Auditor qualification.
• HACCP Level 3 and Food Safety Level 3.
• Strong communicator, able to influence and engage across the site.

Benefits

• Salary: Competitive
• Bonus: 10% annual company bonus scheme
• Hours: 40 hours per week - Monday to Friday
• Pension: Employee contributions 3% / Employer contributions 8% (salary sacrifice scheme)
• Holidays: 25 days + bank holidays
• Life Assurance
• Medicash Plan
• Private Health
• Enhanced leave policies - maternity, paternity, pawternity, pawreavement
• Perks: Free parking, onsite electric charging, bring your dog to work, subsidised canteen, discounted products & free hot drinks
• Flexible benefits - cycle to work, workplace nurseries, dental insurance (via salary sacrifice or pay deductions)
• Heavily discounted pet food
• Free Netflix/Spotify subscription