Job Description: Compliance Manager – Prepared Fresh Produce
Location: West Midlands (Site-Based) Salary: DOE Contract: Full-time, Permanent. Reporting to Senior Technical Manager
Overview
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Compliance Manager to join a newly commissioned prepared fresh-produce site in the West Midlands. This is a pivotal role within a fast-paced, high-care environment supplying major UK retailers. You will be responsible for ensuring the site operates to the highest standards of food safety, legality, and quality, embedding robust compliance systems from day one and supporting the technical agenda as the site scales.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a hands-on, operational setting and enjoys building strong foundations for long-term technical excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Food Safety & Compliance
· Maintain and continuously improve the site’s Food Safety & Quality Management System (FSQMS).
· Ensure full compliance with BRCGS, retailer Codes of Practice, UK/EU legislation, and internal standards.
· Lead the preparation and execution of third-party, regulatory, and customer audits.
· Oversee HACCP, TACCP/VACCP, allergen management, and traceability systems.
· Ensure all documentation, procedures, and records are accurate, up to date, and audit-ready.
Operational Support & Governance
· Work closely with production, hygiene, engineering, and technical teams to ensure compliance is embedded across all site activities.
· Conduct internal audits, GMP inspections, and compliance checks, driving corrective and preventative actions.
· Support commissioning activities by ensuring new processes, equipment, and flows meet food safety requirements.
· Monitor and report on key compliance KPIs, identifying trends and improvement opportunities.
Customer & Supplier Interface
· Support customer technical visits, audits, and queries, providing accurate and timely information.
· Work with suppliers and raw-material teams to ensure incoming goods meet specification and compliance standards.
· Assist in managing customer complaints, root-cause investigations, and corrective action plans.
Training & Culture
· Deliver food safety, hygiene, and compliance training across the site.
· Promote a strong food safety culture, ensuring all colleagues understand their responsibilities.
· Coach and support operational teams to drive consistent standards and behaviours.
Skills & Experience Required
Essential
· Experience in a compliance, QA, or technical role within fresh produce, chilled foods, or high-care FMCG.
· Strong working knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, and UK/EU food safety legislation.
· Proven experience in audit preparation and management.
· Excellent attention to detail with strong organisational and documentation skills.
· Confident communicator able to influence across all levels of the business.
· Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
Desirable
· Experience supporting a new site, line commissioning, or major process changes.
· Exposure to major UK retailer standards (Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Asda).
· Food Science or related qualification (Level 3/4 HACCP desirable).
Personal Attributes
· Proactive, structured, and calm under pressure.
· Strong problem-solver with a practical, solutions-focused mindset.
· Passionate about food safety and continuous improvement.
· Able to build strong relationships across technical, operations, and customer teams