Quality Group Leader

Compleat Food Group; Poole; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Poole is seeking a Group Quality Leader to oversee the Quality Control Technicians and ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years in the food industry, knowledge of quality management systems, and strong people management skills. This role offers a salary between £38,000 and £40,000 per annum, emphasizing continuous improvement and due diligence processes.

Benefits

Employee volunteering days

Online retail discount

Employee well-being support

Formal training opportunities

Physical well-being benefits

Financial well-being tools

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in the food industry.
• Experience with a quality management system.
• Applied knowledge of quality assurance principles and GMP.
• Design and implementation of validations.
• Management of product testing and micro investigations.

Responsibilities

• Manage the shift QCTS team for effective personnel management.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure quality compliance.
• Lead Shift Quality Meetings focusing on food safety.
• Manage product surveillance and quality testing.
• Conduct internal audits and manage GMPs.

Skills

Good administrative skills

Ability to consistently meet deadlines

Good analytical skills

Good people management skills

Proficient in MS Office tools

Problem solving

Clear written communication

Good time management

Positive can-do attitude

Ability to identify improvement opportunities

Education

Food degree or relevant field qualification

HACCP Level 3

Food safety Level 3

Job description

Group Quality Leader

Join Our Technical Team at The Compleat Food Group!

We're looking for a motivated and detail‑focused Quality Group Leader to lead our team of Quality Control Technicians. In this key role you’ll support our commitment to compliance with Group, Customer and BRC standards while driving continuous improvement across the business. You’ll play a vital part in upholding our due diligence processes and ensuring product quality at every step.

The Group Quality Leader will be responsible for maintaining, updating and effectively implementing the Poole Bakery Food Safety and Quality Plans in line with customer requirements and legislative standards. This role will also lead, manage and motivate the Quality Control Technicians to ensure high standards across the factory.

Who We Are:

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re on a mission to create delectable food that not only brings joy to your taste buds but also extends love to our planet. We fondly refer to it as “Food to Feel Good” because we believe in savouring every bite whilst making a positive impact.

Our team of over 6,000 remarkable individuals forms the core of all that we undertake. Their genuine passion drives the creation of delectable products for UK consumers, prominent retailers, and our thrilling market‑leading brands such as Wall's Pastry, Squeaky Bean and Unearthed.

Our site at Poole Bakery produces chilled savoury sausage rolls, hot pies, pasties and slices. The business has been producing products at its current site since 1937 and previously as Millers of Poole.

Working Hours: 3 on 3 off: 6am to 6pm

Location: Poole

Salary: £38,000 – £40,000 DOE per annum

Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Manage the shift QCTS team to ensure effective recruitment, personnel management, training and succession planning.
• Engage with site stakeholders and departments including HR, SHE, hygiene, process development, operations, planning, technical services, engineering and site services.
• Lead Shift Quality Meetings based on food safety and quality issues.
• Manage product surveillance, complaints, microbiological, chemistry, taste panel and environmental testing.
• Manage non‑conformity and control out‑of‑specification product and materials.
• Concessions management.
• Manage artwork/packaging verification and approval to ensure new artwork is compliant with customer and legal requirements.
• Manage internal audits and GMPs; issue schedules, assign audits and complete internal, system, process, traceability/mass balance, CCP and GMP audits as required.
• Manage technical quality equipment and consumables within budget.
• Generate and manage KPIs reports as required by the site, group and customers.
• Traceability and mass balance compliance with customer requirements.
• Create and maintain technical procedures as required.
• Complete validations and verifications.
• Support HACCP team as required.
• Manage various audits, e.g. internal audits, quality system, fabrication, CCPs, traceability, mass balance and GMP audits according to company schedule.
• Manage FSA contacts and completion of export documentation.
• Manage inline packaging verification system (AutoCoding).
• Serve as Site Lead on Internal Audits – process, traceability, fabrication, CCP, GMP.
• Lead site validation.
• Drive factory standards to be audit ready at all times.
• Step down to provide quality control technician cover when needed.
• Carry out any other tasks or projects delegated by the Factory Technical Manager that relate to the job.
• Lead on QUID.
• Lead on technical projects including the implementation of new technologies on site.
• Lead on microbiology and testing.
• Complete gap analysis to customer, group and industry codes of practice.
• Act as site subject matter expert on traceability, SUSSLE, Auto Coding, foreign body detection and weight control.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in the food industry.
• Experience with a quality management system.
• Applied knowledge of quality assurance principles and GMP.
• Design and implementation of validations.
• Traceability.
• Internal audit.
• Gap analysis.
• Management of product testing and micro investigations.
• Experience managing a small team is advantageous.

Key Skills

• Good administrative skills.
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines.
• Good analytical skills.
• Good people management skills.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office tools.
• Problem solving.
• Clear written and verbal communication with a flexible approach for appropriate bottom‑up and top‑down communication channels.
• Good time management.
• Positive can‑do attitude.
• Ability to identify and act on opportunities for improvement.
• Engage with site colleagues at all levels to share knowledge and act as site expert.
• Act with integrity.

Knowledge

• Familiarity with food legislation.
• Food degree or relevant field qualification is advantageous.
• HACCP Level 3 is advantageous.
• Food safety Level 3 is advantageous.

Benefits

• 2 employee volunteering days per year.
• Online and high‑street retailer discount scheme.
• Employee well‑being and community support groups.
• Informal and formal training opportunities with a personalised online LMS platform.
• Charity initiatives and team events.
• 24/7 access to Grocery Aid (free financial, emotional and practical support).
• Physical well‑being benefits – free on‑demand exercise hub and various gym discounts.
• Online wellbeing benefits.
• Free financial wellbeing – mortgage calculators, budget tools, financial aid tools.
• Holiday discounts via online retail discount.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.

We are committed to fairness, equity, inclusivity and respect, and we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal‑opportunity employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.

Contact us with any questions about diversity & inclusion or accessibility during the application process.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a small, active and trusted preferred supplier list to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team.

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