Quality Assurance Manager (Systems- Focused)

A multinational food processing and agricultural company is looking for a Quality Assurance Manager (Systems Focused).

Job Purpose

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the food safety and quality management systems across the business. This role is systems-driven and focuses on ensuring compliance with food safety legislation, certification standards, customer requirements, and internal policies, while embedding a strong food safety and quality culture throughout the organization.

The QA Manager acts as the custodian of the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring that systems are effective, up to date, auditable, and consistently applied across operations.

Key Responsibilities

Quality & Food Safety Management Systems (Core Focus)

• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS) and Food Safety Management System.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards and schemes, including but not limited to: HACCP / ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000.
• Local food safety legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Act as the site’s HACCP Team Leader, ensuring hazard analyses are current, validated, and verified.
• Maintain documented procedures, policies, SOPs, work instructions, and records.
• Ensure document control, version control, and record retention systems are effective and followed.
• Drive system-based risk assessments and ensure mitigation plans are implemented and reviewed.

Audits & Compliance

• Plan, manage, and lead internal audits, GMP audits, hygiene audits, and system audits.
• Prepare the site for external audits (certification bodies, customers, regulatory authorities).
• Act as the primary point of contact during external audits and inspections.
• Manage audit findings, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and close-out.
• Monitor ongoing compliance through trend analysis, KPIs, and system reviews.

Continuous Improvement & Risk Management

• Identify system gaps, inefficiencies, and risks and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Use quality data (non-conformances, complaints, audit results, trends) to drive preventative actions.
• Implement and maintain risk-based thinking across quality and food safety processes.
• Review system performance through management reviews and recommend improvements.

Supplier & Raw Material Quality Systems

• Establish and maintain supplier approval and monitoring programs.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging, and services meet food safety, quality, and legal requirements.
• Review supplier audits, COAs, specifications, and risk assessments.
• Manage supplier non-conformances and corrective actions.

Change Management & System Integrity

• Manage quality and food safety aspects of changes (processes, products, equipment, suppliers, packaging, artwork).
• Ensure change control procedures are followed and documented.
• Maintain product specifications, process flow diagrams, and risk assessments aligned to change.

Training & Food Safety Culture 

• Develop and maintain a quality and food safety training framework.
• Ensure all employees receive appropriate induction, refresher, and role-specific training.
• Promote food safety culture through communication, engagement, and leadership support.
• Coach and guide management and supervisors on system compliance and accountability.

Customer & Regulatory Interface

• Manage customer quality requirements, specifications, and audits.
• Handle customer complaints from a system and root cause perspective.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with local authorities and respond to queries or inspections.
• Support product traceability, recall, and mock recall programs.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop the QA team (if applicable).
• Define clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
• Work closely with Production, Procurement, Supply Chain, and HR to ensure system alignment.
• Escalate systemic risks and compliance issues to senior management.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Certification status and audit outcomes
• Closure rate and effectiveness of CAPAs
• System compliance and audit readiness
• Reduction in repeat non-conformances
• Effectiveness of document control and training records
• Customer complaint trends and root cause resolution

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or Diploma in Food Science, Food Technology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, or related field.
• Formal training in HACCP and food safety management systems.
• Minimum 5–8 years’ experience in food manufacturing quality assurance.
• Proven experience in building, maintaining, and auditing quality systems.
• Experience leading external audits and regulatory inspections.
• Knowledge & Technical Competencies
• Strong knowledge of food safety legislation and industry standards.
• Advanced understanding of HACCP, risk assessment, and validation/verification.
• Solid grasp of GMP, sanitation, allergen management, traceability, and recall systems.
• Strong documentation, reporting, and data analysis skills.

Behavioral Competencies

• Systems thinker with strong attention to detail.
• Proactive, structured, and improvement driven.
• High level of integrity and accountability.
• Confident communicator across all levels of the organization.
• Able to influence without authority and drive compliance through systems rather than policing.

Apply online with an up-to-date CV and cover message.