Quality Assurance Manager (food manufacturing)

Are you a people-focused QA food manufacturing professional who loves coaching, mentoring, and building a true quality culture?

The Oval Partnership is currently supporting a B-Corp accredited, specialist food and nutrition business to recruit a Quality Assurance (QA)-Manager. Reporting to the Head of Quality, the QA Manager role is split between people development, onsite operational excellence, and international 3rd party co - manufacturer management; ensuring effective Root Cause Analysis and investigations-are completed in relation to customer complaints and non-conformances.

Key Responsibilities of the Quality Assurance (QA) Manager:

• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and develop a team of three direct reports.
• Onsite QA & Food Safety: Act as the HACCP Team Leader for the Liverpool production plant, driving GMP excellence and auditing standards.
• Co-Manufacturer Management: Oversee quality relationships across European co-manufacturers, leading non-conformance and complaint investigations using structured RCA.
• Industrialisation Support: Ensure QA presence at trials and 1st/2nd production runs.
• Audit Readiness: Support the wider business in maintaining readiness for internal and external audits

What We Are Looking For:

• A Natural Coach: Proven experience in leading, motivating, and developing individuals.
• Technical Expertise: Strong working knowledge of QMS, GMP, HACCP, and FSSC 22000 requirements within a food manufacturing environment.
• Problem Solvers: Experience leading quality investigations and utilising structured Root Cause Analysis.
• Travel Flexibility: Willingness and availability to travel internationally (primarily Europe) at relatively short notice, typically at least once a month, to attend trials and audit co-manufacturers.
• Education: A university degree (Microbiology, Chemistry, or Food Sciences preferred) or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits include:

• Bonus scheme.
• Hybrid working with flexible hours
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and a Christmas shutdown.
• Excellent pension scheme (up to 10% employer matched contribution).
• Private healthcare