Quality Group Leader

Drnewitt; Poole; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food safety company in Poole is looking for a Quality Manager to oversee standards and compliance. You will lead a quality team, manage food safety risk assessments, and coordinate audits. Candidates should have at least 5 years in the food industry, experience with quality management systems, and relevant food qualifications such as HACCP Level 2 and Food Safety Level 3. A proactive approach and strong analytical skills are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience within the food industry.
• Experience working with quality management systems.
• Practical knowledge of GMP and quality assurance principles.
• Validation design and implementation.
• Traceability systems.
• Internal auditing and gap analysis.
• Experience managing a small team is desirable.
• Understanding of food information regulations and customer portals.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small quality team ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
• Conduct food safety risk assessments and maintain cleaning instructions.
• Prepare governance reports and auditing activities.
• Manage pest control compliance and certification audits.
• Deliver training and support HR processes.

Skills

Strong organisational and administrative ability

Deadline-driven with effective time management

Analytical and problem-solving skills

People management capability

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Clear written and verbal communication

Positive and proactive approach

Continuous improvement mindset

Ability to engage effectively with colleagues at all levels

Professional integrity

Education

Food-related qualification or relevant degree

HACCP Level 2

Food Safety Level 3

Job description

Shift Pattern: 3 on / 3 off 6:00am 6:00pm

Reports to: Technical Manager

Purpose of the Role

To lead a small quality team and ensure compliance with food safety customer and certification standards. The role supports continuous improvement initiatives and maintains robust due diligence across site operations.

Key Duties Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Carry out food safety risk assessments.
• Manage validation activities including CCP allergen cleaning vegan cleaning and prerequisite validations in line with customer and regulatory standards. Develop validation schedules conduct validations and verifications and coach team members in correct execution.
• Review and maintain cleaning instructions to ensure correct methods are followed and standards are achieved.
• Support the HACCP team as required.
• Coordinate product and environmental sampling.
• Prepare governance reports and supporting documentation.
• Conduct internal audits including quality systems fabrication CCPs GMP traceability and mass balance audits in line with the audit schedule.
• Analyse non-conformance trends and work cross-functionally to implement corrective and preventative actions addressing root causes. Ensure timely closure of actions.
• Ensure CCP personnel are trained to current procedures and that production records are completed to standard.
• Maintain audit templates and procedures and provide coaching to internal auditors.
• Support the Technical Manager in maintaining a constant state of audit readiness.
• Manage pest control compliance review contractor reports and coordinate corrective actions.
• Coordinate certification audits and provide relevant site training.
• Supervise Quality Control Technicians covering intake checks complaints handling and export documentation as delegated.
• Deliver training and on-the-job coaching. Provide operational cover when required.
• Manage team HR processes including development plans reviews absence management and performance matters with HR support.
• Maintain internal raw material specifications approved supplier documentation traceability lists and intake records. Oversee sampling and laboratory submissions.
• Lead investigations into customer complaints.
• Manage export documentation linked to traceability.
• Assess and manage product concessions including risk assessments and trend analysis to reduce recurrence.
• Conduct gap analyses and improvement planning.
• Verify packaging artwork against approved standards and maintain reference samples.
• Oversee inline packaging verification systems.
• Act as subject matter expert for CCP equipment including metal detection X-ray coding systems and check weighing.
• Maintain factory standards to ensure continuous audit readiness.
• Develop KPI and performance reports as required.
• Conduct traceability exercises and investigations.
• Support procedural reviews and system updates.
• Undertake ad hoc projects aligned with business needs.
• Deputise for the Technical Manager when required.
• Provide hands-on support within the quality team during operational needs.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years experience within the food industry
• Experience working with quality management systems
• Practical knowledge of GMP and quality assurance principles
• Validation design and implementation
• Traceability systems
• Internal auditing and gap analysis
• Experience managing a small team is desirable
• Understanding of food information regulations and customer portals
• Food-related qualification or relevant degree
• HACCP Level 2
• Food Safety Level 3

Key Skills

• Strong organisational and administrative ability
• Deadline-driven with effective time management
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• People management capability
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Positive and proactive approach
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to engage effectively with colleagues at all levels
• Professional integrity

If you are interested in this position please forward your CV to or call Jack on 0.