Quality Manager

Alexander Steele Recruitment; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Alexander Steele Recruitment, in partnership with a well-established food manufacturer, seeks an experienced QA/Technical Manager to lead the site's Quality Assurance function and drive continuous improvement.

You'll ensure compliance with food safety legislation, BRCGS standards, and retailer requirements, manage audits, CAPAs, and QA teams, and collaborate with Production, Engineering and NPD to uphold the highest standards of quality across the operation.

Qualifications

• Experience leading QA/Technical teams in food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, GMP and retailer standards.
• Experience leading audits (internal, customer, third-party).
• Proven ability to drive CAPAs and root cause investigations.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Quality Assurance team, promoting a proactive quality culture across the site.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, legal, customer, and BRCGS standards.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead internal, customer, and third-party audits, ensuring robust corrective actions.
• Manage customer complaints, non-conformances, root cause investigations, and CAPAs.
• Lead and maintain HACCP, TACCP, and VACCP programmes.
• Monitor factory standards, GMP, hygiene, and quality controls through audits.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, NPD, and Supply Chain on improvements.
• Manage supplier quality standards and support supplier approvals.
• Monitor quality KPIs, identify trends and drive improvements.
• Ensure proper technical documentation and records.
• Support new product introductions from a technical perspective.
• Deliver training to promote best practice in food safety and quality.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Root cause analysis

Quality assurance

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology

Job description

Alexander Steele Recruitment is working in partnership with a well-established and highly respected food manufacturer to recruit an experienced QA/Technical Manager. This is an excellent opportunity to join a business that supplies high-quality products to major UK retailers and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Reporting into the Head of Technical, you will lead the site's Quality Assurance function, ensuring compliance with food safety legislation, customer requirements, and industry standards while driving a culture of quality across the manufacturing operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Quality Assurance team, promoting a proactive quality culture across the site.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, legal, customer, and BRCGS standards.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead internal, customer, and third-party audits, ensuring successful outcomes and robust corrective actions.
• Manage customer complaints, non-conformances, root cause investigations, and CAPAs.
• Lead and maintain the site's HACCP, TACCP, and VACCP programmes.
• Monitor factory standards, GMP, hygiene, and quality controls through regular auditing and verification activities.
• Work collaboratively with Production, Engineering, NPD, and Supply Chain to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage supplier quality standards and support supplier approval processes.
• Monitor quality KPIs, identify trends, and implement improvement plans.
• Ensure technical documentation, specifications, and due diligence records are maintained accurately.
• Support new product introductions and process improvements from a technical perspective.
• Deliver training and coaching to promote best practice in food safety and quality.

About You

We're looking for an experienced Technical or QA professional with a strong background in food manufacturing and a passion for driving quality standards.

To be successful, you'll have:

• Previous experience in a QA Manager, Technical Manager, or similar leadership role within food manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, GMP, food safety legislation, and retailer standards.
• Experience leading customer, retailer, and third-party audits.
• Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Strong leadership and people management experience.
• The ability to build positive relationships across multiple departments.
• A proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline (preferred).
• HACCP Level 3 or above.
• Food Safety qualification.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to join a successful and growing food manufacturer supplying leading UK retailers.
• A key leadership role with genuine scope to influence quality standards and continuous improvement.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.