Main Purpose of Job 

Responsible for the day-to-day management of the quality assurance team to ensure all products are manufactured safely and meet or exceed customer specifications. 

Key Responsibilities 

Audits 

• Support the site actively in the preparation of and during Customer or Third-Party Audits 

• To deputise in the absence of the Factory Technical Manager. 

Team 

• To manage, motivate and develop a team of Quality Assurance personnel, who will audit the Quality Systems according to a defined schedule. 

• Identify training needs within the team and manage performance 

Compliance 

Factory based role with close collaboration with other functions to ensure product safety and quality, specifically: 

• To ensure that all technical policies and procedures are adhered to within the manufacturing environment and review compliance. 

• HACCP – ensure that CCP are monitored and verified 

• To ensure Technical Systems are adequately monitored so that documentary evidence can be provided to support a “due diligence” defence in the event of a food safety or quality issue. 

• Ensure all agreed testing schedules are adhered to e.g., raw materials, finished products, environment, taste panel and lab samples. 

• Confirm calibration schedule is maintained and appropriate corrective action is taken where required. 

• Attend customer panels as required. 

• Form part of the internal audit team. 

• Support when required the planning and maintenance of the validation schedule 

Management of KPIs 

• Manage process deviations e.g., concessions and incidents 

• To analyse laboratory results, understand data and report to business as appropriate. 

• Identify trends and out of spec results and drive appropriate corrective actions 

• To aid with the investigation of customer complaints, trending, and communication of these investigations to customers as appropriate 

Collaboration with external and internal teams 

• To review contractor/service provider platforms e.g., pest control and ensure outstanding recommendations are closed out in a timely manner, trend results on a quarterly basis and escalate any issues to relevant departmental manager. 

• To aid in the delivery of technical projects as required by the business and/or appropriate for personal development. 

• Liaise with Supplier Assurance Manager to maintain the raw material supplier non-conformance system.  Verify that appropriate corrective actions have been taken by the supplier to close off any non-conformances raised.  

Knowledge & Experience 

Essential level of knowledge, qualification, training, and experience necessary to enable the Jobholder to perform the job to an acceptable standard 

Qualifications 

• HACCP Level 4 and Food Safety Level 4 desirable.  

• Degree/HND in Food related discipline.   

Experience 

Knowledge & Experience Required: 

• Chilled Food Manufacturing background – chilled ready meals experience essential – minimum of 3 years’ experience 

• Management of small team of people  

• Good knowledge of Validation & Verification  

• Ability to write reports & analyse data 

• Internal Auditing Qualification (Lead Auditor or similar)  

• Sound knowledge of BRC & interpreting customer policies  

• Liaising with customers