Supplier Quality Manager

Zest Food Jobs; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest Food Jobs in the UK are seeking an experienced Supplier Quality Manager to own supplier technical compliance, risk management and retailer relationships in a fast-paced, quality-driven environment.

You will lead audits, file audit reports, close out corrective actions, and support retailer approvals, while maintaining ethical trade compliance across production sites. Travel UK and across Europe is required.

Qualifications

• Auditor with strong factory/production site knowledge.
• Willingness to travel UK and across Europe.
• Excellent communication skills to advise and influence at all levels.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage detailed workloads accurately.
• Computer literate and able to work to strict procedures.
• Background in technical/quality compliance within manufacturing or supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice to Commercial teams on supplier technical capability.
• Conduct audits and file audit reports, closing out corrective actions.
• Carry out supplier risk assessments to support annual reviews.
• Support suppliers in gaining retailer approvals.
• Prepare supplier sites for retailer audits and pre-production visits.
• Manage ethical trade compliance and ethical audits across sites.
• Provide technical/audit support and Code of Practice interpretation.
• Stay updated on retailer technical standards and advise accordingly.
• Manage the internal audit programme.
• Deliver internal training as required.
• Maintain communication with customer technical contacts.

Skills

Auditing

Communication

Organisation

Compliance

Technical knowledge

Supplier management

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

A well-established and growing business, supplying leading UK retailers, are looking for an experienced Supplier Quality Manager. Our client places quality, safety, and integrity at the heart of everything they do, and this role sits right at the centre of that mission - working closely with suppliers, commercial teams, and retail customers to ensure the very highest standards are consistently met.

About the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity for a technically-minded audit professional to take ownership of supplier technical compliance, risk management, and retailer relationships within a fast-paced, quality-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide constructive, expert advice to Commercial teams on the technical capability of suppliers.
• Conduct full technical audits against relevant standards, file audit reports, and work with suppliers to close out corrective actions.
• Carry out supplier risk assessments to support the annual Supplier Risk Assessment review.
• Support suppliers in gaining and maintaining appropriate retailer approvals.
• Prepare supplier sites in advance of retailer audits and pre-production visits.
• Manage ethical trade compliance and ensure relevant ethical audits are maintained in line with customer expectations.
• Provide technical and audit support, including Code of Practice interpretation, across all supplier production sites.
• Remain fully conversant with current retailer technical standards, providing guidance to suppliers and Commercial colleagues.
• Manage the internal audit programme.
• Deliver internal training as required.
• Maintain strong communication links and relationships with customer technical contacts.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an experienced auditor with strong factory/production site knowledge.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly within the UK and across Europe.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to advise and influence at all levels.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage detailed workloads accurately.
• Computer literate, compliant with procedures, and comfortable working to strict standards.
• Background in technical/quality compliance within a manufacturing or supply chain environment is essential.

Required Skills

• Proven experience as an experienced auditor with strong factory/production site knowledge.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to advise and influence at all levels.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage detailed workloads accurately.
• Computer literate, compliant with procedures, and comfortable working to strict standards.

Preferred Skills

• Background in technical/quality compliance within a manufacturing or supply chain environment is essential.

Pay range and compensation package

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices.