Quality Lead

Sean Loughnanes Galway Ltd; Mitchelstown; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Company events

Job summary

Hodgins Sausages in Ireland is seeking an experienced Quality Lead to oversee the Quality Management System across the production facility and ensure products meet the highest standards. You will lead quality assurance, food safety, and regulatory compliance, driving continuous improvement and fostering a strong culture of food safety among staff and suppliers.

Reporting to senior management, you will manage external audits, CAPA processes, KPI reporting, and training of site SOPs to maintain

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science/Technology or related discipline.
• 3–5 years’ experience in a quality role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Knowledge of HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, GMP and quality management systems.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, BRCGS standard and Bord Bia standard.
• Experience managing BRCGS, customer, or regulatory audits.
• Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Manage, implement and continually improve the site’s Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure day-to-day compliance with the site’s policies & procedures, relevant food safety legislation, customer food safety standard, Bord Bia Food Processor Standard and BRCGS Standard.
• Maintain, develop and implement the site’s HACCP system and lead the HACCP team.
• Lead external audits (customer, BRCGS, Bord Bia, DAFM) and implement CAPA for non-conformances.
• Manage internal audits (system, GMP and Glass & Plastic) and CAPA for non-conformances.
• Trend audit results and ensure no repeat non-conformances are raised.
• Manage microbiological and chemical testing programmes and trend results.
• Manage the product quality monitoring programme.
• Investigate customer complaints with root cause analysis and CAPA.
• Train site SOPs and food safety training required.
• Completion of KPI reports and presenting to senior management.
• Support new product development and continuous improvement projects.

Skills

Quality Assurance

HACCP

Regulatory Compliance

Leadership

Cross-functional Collaboration

Food Safety

GMP

Root Cause Analysis

Audit Management

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology or related discipline

Job description

Hodgins Sausages is a well-established Irish food manufacturer with a reputation for producing premium-quality sausages and meat products. We are passionate about quality, food safety, and continuous improvement. We are seeking an experienced and driven Quality Lead to oversee our Quality Management System and ensure our products consistently meet the highest standards.

The Role

Reporting to senior management, you will lead all aspects of quality assurance, food safety, and regulatory compliance across our production facility. You will play a key role in maintaining customer confidence, driving continuous improvement, and fostering a strong food safety culture throughout the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, implement and continually improve the sites Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure day-to-day compliance with the site’s policies & procedures, relevant food safety legislation, customer food safety standard, Bord Bia Food Processor Standard and BRCGS Standard.
• Maintain, develop and implement the site’s HACCP system and lead the HACCP team.
• Lead external audits (customer, BRCGS, Bord Bia, DAFM) and successfully implement an effective CAPA for any non-conformances raised.
• Manage internal audits (including system, GMP and Glass & Plastic) and implement effective CAPA for any non-conformances identified.
• Trend the results of the external and internal audits and ensure no repeat non-conformances are raised.
• Manage the microbiological and chemical testing programmes and trend the results.
• Manage the product quality monitoring programme.
• Investigate all customer complaints, including root cause analysis and the implementation of effective CAPA.
• Trending of customer complaints.
• Training of site SOP’s and any other food safety training required.
• Completion of KPI reports and presenting to the senior management team.
• Support new product development and continual improvement projects.
• Conduct mock recalls as per site procedure.
• Manage the site calibration schedule.
• Verification of the production records.
• Communicate with external customers, DAFM, certification bodies, Bord Bia and various internal teams including senior management, production and quality teams within the group.
• Maintain an up-to-date approved supplier list.

Skills and Experience

Essential Requirements

• Degree or qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Quality Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a quality role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Knowledge of HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, GMP and quality management systems.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, BRCGS standard and Bord Bia standard.
• Experience managing BRCGS, customer, or regulatory audits.
• Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple departments.
• Good attention to detail.

Desirable

• Previous experience within meat processing.
• Experience with retailer standards and customer specifications.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies.
• HACCP certification.
• Internal auditing experience.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about food safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Proactive, organised, and solutions focused.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
• Detail-oriented, with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Capable of working independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead quality within a respected Irish food business.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• The opportunity to make a real impact on product quality and food safety.

Benefits

• Company events
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person