Quality Systems Manager

Gregory Walker; Wigton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Gregory Walker is recruiting a Quality Systems Manager for a key Cumbria manufacturing site. You will own the site QMS, shape the food safety and quality agenda and drive continual improvement beyond audits.

Reporting to the Site Technical Manager, you will lead audits, manage document control, support HACCP and validation, analyse quality trends and present KPIs to senior stakeholders. Dairy experience is helpful but not essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a food manufacturing technical environment
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS and third-party/customer standards
• Experience coordinating audits and compliance programmes
• Level 3 Food Safety and HACCP as a minimum
• Strong root-cause analysis and problem-solving capability
• Continuous improvement mindset across operations

Responsibilities

• Owning and continually improving the site QMS
• Maintaining audit readiness across standards
• Leading internal, external, customer and regulatory audit activity
• Driving corrective and preventative actions through to completion
• Managing document control, management review and compliance processes
• Supporting HACCP, traceability, validation and verification
• Analysing complaints, audit results, customer feedback and quality trends
• Producing technical KPIs and presenting to senior site stakeholders
• Coaching teams and building a quality culture
• Leading continuous improvement projects

Skills

Quality Systems

BRCGS knowledge

Audits coordination

Root cause analysis

Continuous improvement

Education

Food Safety Level 3

HACCP knowledge

Job description

Are you a Quality Systems professional who wants to do more than simply maintain a QMS?

We’re working with a major UK food manufacturing business to recruit a Quality Systems Manager for one of its key manufacturing sites in Cumbria.

This is a role with genuine ownership. You’ll take responsibility for the site Quality Management System, help shape the food safety and quality agenda and ensure the operation is continually improving rather than simply preparing for the next audit.

Reporting to the Site Technical Manager, you’ll work closely with Operations, Engineering, SHE, Supply Chain and the wider Site Leadership Team, giving you significant exposure across the factory.

The Role

You’ll be responsible for:

• Owning and continually improving the site QMS
• Maintaining audit readiness across BRCGS, customer, regulatory and other third-party standards
• Leading internal, external, customer and regulatory audit activity
• Driving corrective and preventative actions through to completion
• Managing document control, management review and compliance processes
• Supporting HACCP, traceability, mass balance, validation and verification
• Analysing complaints, audit results, customer feedback and quality trends
• Using data to identify recurring issues and drive root-cause improvement
• Producing technical KPIs and presenting performance to senior site stakeholders
• Coaching teams and helping build a genuine food safety and quality culture
• Leading and supporting continuous improvement projects

It’s a broad systems role where you’ll have the opportunity to influence how quality operates across the site, rather than simply policing standards.

About you

We’re looking for someone with strong Quality Systems experience gained within food manufacturing who understands what a genuinely effective QMS looks like.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Around 5+ years’ experience within a food manufacturing technical environment
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS and third-party/customer standards
• Experience coordinating audits and compliance programmes
• Level 3 Food Safety and HACCP as a minimum
• Strong root-cause analysis and problem-solving capability
• The confidence to challenge existing processes and influence people across Operations and Technical
• A practical, continuous-improvement mindset

Dairy experience would be advantageous but isn’t essential. Lead Auditor, Level 4 HACCP/Food Safety and continuous improvement experience would also be beneficial.

Why apply?

This isn’t a “keep the paperwork tidy” Quality Systems position.

You’ll inherit a broad remit, have the autonomy to improve systems and processes, and work closely with senior stakeholders in a manufacturing environment where food safety, quality and continuous improvement genuinely matter.

If you’re a Quality Systems Manager, Quality Manager, Technical Systems Manager or experienced Technical professional looking for greater ownership and influence, we’d like to hear from you.