Third Party Quality Lead

A.G. Barr; Cumbernauld; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uncapped bonus

Pension plan

34 days holiday

Holiday trading

Flexible benefits

Healthcare plan

Staff discounts

Life assurance

Salary review

Learning & development

Job summary

AG Barr in Cumbernauld/Milton Keynes is seeking a Virtual Factory Quality Lead to protect brand integrity and drive world-class food safety across third-party manufacturers.

You will lead external audits, manage HACCP/GMP compliance, and collaborate with suppliers to ensure quality and hygiene excellence across the portfolio.

This hybrid, permanent role offers a competitive package and opportunities to influence safety across the UK and EU.

Qualifications

• Quality management experience in FMCG (food and drinks).
• Experience in managing Quality Systems and external site audits.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP and food safety regulations.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Partner with external manufacturers to drive food safety and hygiene improvements.
• Investigate consumer complaints, analyse KPI trends, and resolve root causes.
• Coordinate product testing, monitoring, and audits for third-party sites.
• Manage end-to-end incident response and supplier communications.
• Refine VF systems, procedures, and equipment controls with the QA Manager.
• Track audit findings and ensure timely closures.
• Depose for the Virtual Factory Quality Manager and conduct site audits across UK/EU.

Skills

Quality management

FMCG

External audits

HACCP

GMP

Leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication

Education

HNC or equivalent qualification

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Title: Third Party Quality Lead

Location: Cumbernauld/Milton Keynes

Contract and working pattern: Hybrid, permanent

Are you ready to Be Your Best Barr None?

Lets Grow!!!

We are all about Being Your Best Barr None and having a career with real Moments that Matter!

Employing around 950 people across the UK, we are proud to be a responsible business that takes care of our people, values diversity, gives something back to our communities and works to minimise our environmental impact.

For 150 years AG Barr has been building great brands and is home to some of the nations favourite flavours.

At our core is IRN-BRU, launched in 1901 and still going strong today, the vibrant RUBICON fruit based brand, Boost making every moment better with a caffeine kick, hydration hit or tasty treat, and FUNKIN where real fruit means authentic taste.

We also have a number of exciting owned brands within our portfolio including MOMA, which crafts quality oats into great tasting oat drinks and porridges.

There's never been a better time to join us!

What we’re looking for…

As a Virtual Factory Quality Lead, you will protect brand integrity, drive world‑class food safety standards across third‑party manufacturers, and hold external suppliers to uncompromising quality and hygiene excellence.

Your responsibilities will include...

• Partnering with external manufacturers to drive continuous improvement in food safety, GFSI/BRC quality systems, and hygiene standards.
• Investigating consumer complaints, analysing KPI trends, and executing root‑cause corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Coordinating and delivering the full product testing, monitoring, and audit schedules for all third‑party sites.
• Managing end‑to‑end incident response, including stock isolation, non‑conformance management, and stakeholder communications.
• Proactively refining VF systems, procedures, and equipment controls alongside the Group Quality Systems Manager.
• Tracking audit findings and site action plans to guarantee robust, timely closure.
• Deputising for the Virtual Factory Quality Manager and traveling across the UK/EU for site audits as needed.

What you’ll bring...

The successful candidate will have:

• Quality management experience within an FMCG environment (ideally food and drink).
• Proven expertise in managing Quality Systems, conducting external site audits, and upholding BRC/GFSI standards.
• In-depth practical knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and relevant food safety regulatory frameworks.
• Strong influential leadership, communication, and cross‑functional team‑working skills.
• HNC or equivalent qualification in a relevant scientific discipline.

And it would also be great if you can demonstrate:

• Food microbiology knowledge and familiarity with industry‑standard micro‑testing methods/GLP.
• Direct experience within the soft drinks manufacturing sector.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (G Suite) tools and applications.

What we offer…

We believe in creating a diverse and inclusive culture where your voice can be heard. Our skilled, loyal and committed people are critical to the future success of AG Barr which is why we are continually investing in our employees to develop their talent.

• Uncapped bonus linked to business performance
• Defined contribution Pension
• Up to 34 days holiday (depending on shift pattern)
• Flexible holiday trading
• Flexible cash pot to spend on benefits
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Flexible benefits e.g. discounts & cashbacks, gym memberships, technology purchases etc
• Life assurance
• Save as you earn scheme
• Staff sales discount
• Free AG Barr products throughout your working day and staff sales
• Annual salary review
• Ongoing professional development and access to Learning and Development programmes and content

And much more!

To find out more about what it is like to work for AG Barr, please visit our careers platform .

We are an equal opportunities employer and happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that may be needed for successful candidates with a disability, health or mental health condition.

While we have highlighted our ideal requirements for this role, we are realistic that the successful candidate probably won't meet every single requirement in this advert, but we are big advocates of people growing in role. So even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to submit an application - you may be just what we are looking for!

Please note, we may close vacancies early where we receive significant numbers of applications,