Quality Systems Manager

First Milk Limited; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & Bonus

34 days holiday

Holiday purchase scheme

Colleague Discounts Platform

Job summary

First Milk is seeking a Quality Systems Manager to join the Technical Team at the Lake District Creamery. You’ll lead the site’s Quality Management System and drive excellence in food safety, compliance and customer satisfaction.

In this pivotal role you’ll influence culture, lead improvement initiatives, support audits and develop people so every product leaving the site reflects First Milk’s high standards and environmental commitments.

Qualifications

• Experience in a quality, food safety or technical systems role within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of food safety legislation, BRCGS standards and customer requirements.
• Experience coordinating internal and external audits.
• HACCP and Food Safety qualifications.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A passion for continuous improvement and building a positive quality culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve our Quality Management System.
• Drive compliance with customer, legal and BRCGS requirements.
• Lead audit preparation and coordinate customer, regulatory and certification audits.
• Analyse quality trends, customer feedback and technical KPIs to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Deliver training and coaching that strengthens food safety and quality awareness across the site.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, customers and auditors to maintain our reputation for excellence.
• Support continuous improvement projects and share best practice across the wider First Milk business.

Skills

Quality management

Food safety

Audits coordination

HACCP qualifications

Analytical skills

Continuous improvement

Job description

Quality Systems Manager
Lake District Creamery

10 September 2026

At First Milk, we're passionate about producing high-quality dairy products in a way that benefits people, animals and the planet. As a proud B Corp and regenerative dairy co-operative, we believe great food starts with great standards, exceptional teamwork and a relentless commitment to quality.

We are now looking for a Quality Systems Manager to join our Technical Team at the Lake District Creamery and play a leading role in shaping our food safety and quality culture.

The Role

Quality sits at the heart of everything we do. As our Quality Systems Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind the site’s Quality Management System, ensuring we continue to meet the highest standards of food safety, compliance and customer satisfaction.

This is more than a compliance role. You’ll influence culture, lead improvement initiatives, support audits, develop people and help ensure that every product leaving our site reflects the standards our customers expect from First Milk.

As our Quality Systems Manager, you will

• Lead and continuously improve our Quality Management System
• Drive compliance with customer, legal and BRCGS requirements
• Lead audit preparation and coordinate customer, regulatory and certification audits
• Analyse quality trends, customer feedback and technical KPIs to identify opportunities for improvement
• Deliver training and coaching that strengthens food safety and quality awareness across the site
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, customers and auditors to maintain our reputation for excellence
• Support continuous improvement projects and share best practice across the wider First Milk business

About You

We’re looking for someone who combines technical expertise with strong leadership and influencing skills.

You’ll ideally have:

• Experience in a quality, food safety or technical systems role within food manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of food safety legislation, BRCGS standards and customer requirements
• Experience coordinating internal and external audits
• HACCP and Food Safety qualifications
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• A passion for continuous improvement and building a positive quality culture

Dairy industry experience, Lead Auditor qualifications and higher-level Food Safety or HACCP qualifications would be advantageous but are not essential.

Why Join Us?

At First Milk, you’ll be joining a business with a clear purpose: to make dairy work for good.

As a farmer-owned co-operative and certified B Corp, we’re committed to creating a sustainable future while producing great dairy products. You’ll have the opportunity to make a genuine impact, work with talented colleagues and contribute to a business that’s leading the way in regenerative dairy

The Benefits

• Competitive salary & Bonus;
• 34 days holiday per year (incl. public holidays)
• Additional Holiday purchase scheme (up to 5 days);
• Colleague Discounts Platform.

We are a certified B Corp who welcome applications from everyone.
If you’re passionate about quality, food safety and continuous improvement, we’d love to hear from you