Senior Quality Assurance Manager

GB05 Solina Coatings UK Ltd; Biggleswade; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive package

DEI Commitment

PACE culture

Open to talents of all backgrounds

Job summary

Solina UK is seeking a Senior Quality Manager to lead quality across multiple sites, drive compliance with food safety standards, and shape strategic quality improvements.

You will work closely with Head of Technical & Quality to enhance QMS, HACCP programs, audits, and supplier performance, while mentoring site Quality Managers.

The role requires a degree in Food Science, 4+ years in QA management, Lead Auditor qualification, and travel between sites.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or a related discipline.
• Minimum 4 years' experience in technical or quality assurance management in food manufacturing.
• Lead Auditor qualification with auditing experience.
• HACCP Level 4 qualification with hands-on HACCP implementation.
• Excellent English, written and spoken.
• Willingness to travel between sites as required; strong stakeholder communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality activities across multiple sites and support Head of Technical & Quality.
• Drive compliance with food safety, legal, customer, BRCGS, and internal standards.
• Plan and lead customer, certification, and regulatory audits; close non-conformances.
• Maintain QMS, HACCP programs, risk management, incident management.
• Monitor product quality and microbiological results; implement corrective actions.
• Mentor Quality Managers across four sites; ensure consistent performance.
• Manage supplier performance via scorecards, audits, contracts.
• Prepare management and board-level quality reports.
• Champion culture of quality and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Auditing

Quality assurance

Communication

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Travel readiness

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

Primary Location : BIGGLESWADE, United Kingdom At Solina, our community of close to 5,000 people share a passion for food and live our entrepreneurial culture. We design customised savoury solutions for our clients operating in the food industry, food service, butchery and nutrition markets. With sustainability at the heart of our business model, we aim to produce food that is good in every sense of the word: delicious, nourishing, affordable, sustainable and convenient. Solina is a fast-growing business, with around 50 production sites and R&D laboratories present in more than 19 countries mainly in Europe and North America. By constantly rethinking culinary solutions, we make food matter for people and the planet. If you're ready for a new adventure in a dynamic, expanding, passionate, international company, are you passionate about quality, food safety, and driving excellence? As our Senior Quality Manager, you will be at the forefront of our quality journey, leading teams, inspiring best practice, and ensuring our products consistently exceed customer and industry standards. Working closely with the Head of Technical & Quality, you will have the opportunity to shape strategy, enhance quality systems, and deliver impactful continuous improvement initiatives that make a real difference across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and support quality activities across multiple sites, deputising for the Head of Technical & Quality when required. Drive compliance with food safety, legal, customer, BRCGS, and internal quality standards. Plan, coordinate, and lead customer, certification, and regulatory audits, ensuring timely closure of any non-conformances. Oversee and maintain Quality Management Systems (QMS), HACCP programmes, risk management processes, and incident management procedures. Monitor product quality, environmental testing, and microbiological results, ensuring appropriate corrective actions are implemented. Partner with Operations teams to embed quality standards, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Lead investigations into customer complaints, stock rejections, and quality incidents, providing analysis and recommendations. Support and mentor Quality Managers across four sites, ensuring consistent quality performance and best practice. Manage supplier performance through scorecards, audits, and service provider contracts. Maintain document control systems, quality KPIs, and prepare management and board-level reports. Champion a culture of quality, food safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement throughout the business.

Candidate Profile

A degree (or equivalent qualification) in Food Science or a related discipline.

At least 4 years' experience in a Technical or Quality Assurance management role within the food manufacturing industry.

Proven leadership experience, with the ability to manage, coach, and develop high-performing quality teams.

Strong knowledge of food safety legislation, quality management systems, retailer requirements, and certification standards.

A Lead Auditor qualification and practical experience auditing quality systems and manufacturing environments.

HACCP Level 4 qualification with hands-on experience implementing and maintaining HACCP systems.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions and drive improvements.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building effective relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

A collaborative approach, with the ability to work independently and across multiple sites and functions.

Experience within cereal-based manufacturing or ingredient production would be advantageous.

Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

A flexible and self-motivated approach, with the ability to travel between sites and respond to business needs when required.

An excellent command of written and spoken English.

Benefits

We offer a competitive package Join Solina and help shape the future of food through quality, innovation, and excellence.

We are open to talents of all backgrounds.

Our recruitment process is based on competences, and we openly welcome all candidates of all types according to our DEI Commitment.

At Solina, our culture is guided by PACE – a shared mindset that helps us grow, collaborate, and bring ambitions to life. It encourages us to think bigger, take ownership, stay curious, and succeed together.