Quality Lead

Vickerstock; Armagh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing business in Armagh is seeking a Quality Lead to provide strong leadership to the QA team. This role involves ensuring compliance with product safety, quality, and legislative requirements, managing quality systems, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Ideal candidates will have proven experience in quality system auditing and relevant food safety certifications. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead a dedicated team in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Quality System Auditing.
• Level 3 Food Safety and Level 3 HACCP.
• Experience with BRC and major retailer audits.
• Knowledge of pest control and continuous improvement tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support, and develop the QA team to ensure compliance.
• Maintain an audit-ready quality management system.
• Analyse non-conformance data to identify trends.
• Manage product Holds and ensure timely resolutions.
• Deliver team training and coordinate improvement projects.
• Maintain and calibrate inspection and test equipment.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement preventative actions.
• Manage key technical contractors.
• Support the Technical Manager during audits.
• Collaborate with NPD for new product integration.

Job description

Vickerstock are proud to be working in partnership with a leading food manufacturing business to appoint a Quality Lead for their Armagh based site.

This is a key leadership role within the Technical function, offering the opportunity to lead a dedicated QA team and ensure the highest standards of product safety, quality, and compliance across the site.

If you're an experienced Quality professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys leading people, driving standards, and influencing continuous improvement, this is an excellent opportunity to join a company with a strong reputation for quality, integrity and innovation.

The Role

As Quality Lead you'll provide strong leadership to the Shift QA Team, ensuring all operations meet internal, customer, and legislative requirements. You'll take ownership of quality systems, factory standards, and continuous improvement projects - making sure the site is audit ready 24/7.

What your day to day will look like:

• Lead, support, and develop the QA team to ensure site-wide compliance with all technical policies and procedures.
• Maintain an audit-ready quality management system, ensuring full product traceability and mass balance at all times.
• Analyse non-conformance data to identify trends and implement proactive action plans.
• Manage product Holds and ensure timely resolutions.
• Deliver team training and coordinate technical and continuous improvement projects.
• Maintain and calibrate inspection and test equipment.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement preventative actions for customer complaints.
• Manage key technical contractors (e.g., Pest Control, Calibration).
• Support the Technical Manager during external audits and deputise where required.
• Collaborate with NPD to ensure seamless integration of new products into the plant's QMS.

What you'll need to succeed:

• Proven experience in Quality System Auditing
• Level 3 Food Safety and Level 3 HACCP
• Experience with BRC and major retailer audits
• Knowledge of pest control and continuous improvement tools

Desirable Criteria (it would be great if you have these but don't worry if you don't):

• Degree in Food Science, Quality Systems, or related discipline
• Lead Auditor qualification (third-party and internal)
• Previous leadership experience within an FMCG environment

Get in touch:

Sound like the career move you've been after and would like to hear more, pick up the phone to Anna now on T 028 9031 3720, or send an updated CV - in Word format - via the link on the page (or email).

If this opportunity doesn't quite get the taste buds flowing but like me you are passionate about food, let's get a chat and see how I can help grow your career.

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