Quality Manager

Drnewitt; Chichester; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Drnewitt in West Sussex is seeking an experienced QA Manager to lead quality, compliance and continuous improvement within a busy food manufacturing environment. The role focuses on audits, QMS development, and driving a culture of quality across operations.

You will manage audit schedules, address non-conformances, and mentor teams to uphold high safety and quality standards. Key responsibilities include leading external audits, maintaining accreditations, and driving lean improvements while

Qualifications

• Strong background in food manufacturing quality/technical roles.
• Experienced audit lead with deep understanding of HACCP and food safety systems.
• Confident communicator with strong leadership and coaching skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset with experience implementing lean practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead external factory audits and maintain all relevant accreditations.
• Develop and maintain robust, compliant Quality Management Systems.
• Manage internal and external audit schedules, ensuring compliance and document validity.
• Ensure non-conformances are raised, logged and resolved, collaborating with relevant departments.
• Lead and develop teams to promote a strong quality and compliance culture.
• Chair the HACCP team and champion food safety standards.
• Drive lean initiatives and continuous improvement across operations.
• Conduct factory tours and represent the business positively to visitors.
• Identify and lead cost-saving and process-improvement projects.
• Manage KPI-related meetings and action planning with senior management.
• Oversee the complaints log, ensuring timely investigation and communication with customers.
• Support NPD product sign-off processes.
• Ensure a robust PPM program is in place and regularly audited.
• Promote strong Food Safety and Health & Safety culture across the business.

Skills

QA management

HACCP

Food safety systems

Audit leadership

Lean / CI

Job description

Job Description

Location: West Sussex
Hours: 39 hours per week
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Holiday: 25 days + 8 bank holidays

We are seeking an experienced QA Manager to lead quality, compliance and continuous improvement within a busy food manufacturing environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive leader who thrives on maintaining high standards, driving audit readiness, and fostering a culture focused on quality and improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead external factory audits and maintain all relevant accreditations.

• Develop and maintain robust, compliant Quality Management Systems.

• Manage internal and external audit schedules, ensuring compliance and document validity.

• Ensure non-conformances are raised, logged and resolved, collaborating with relevant departments.

• Lead and develop teams to promote a strong quality and compliance culture.

• Chair the HACCP team and champion food safety standards.

• Drive lean initiatives and continuous improvement across operations.

• Conduct factory tours and represent the business positively to visitors.

• Identify and lead cost-saving and process-improvement projects.

• Manage KPI-related meetings and action planning with senior management.

• Oversee the complaints log, ensuring timely investigation and communication with customers.

• Support NPD product sign-off processes.

• Ensure a robust PPM program is in place and regularly audited.

• Promote strong Food Safety and Health & Safety culture across the business.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong background in food manufacturing quality/technical roles.

• Experienced audit lead with deep understanding of HACCP and food safety systems.

• Confident communicator with strong leadership and coaching skills.

• Continuous improvement mindset with experience implementing lean practices.

Why This Role?

This is a brilliant opportunity to join leading company in it's respective industry, supplying into the high-end UK retail market. This role allows the right candidate to step into a leadership role at a company where they have a noticeable impact in their market, and your ideas and input is valued.