Overview
Quality Assurance Manager – Location: Chichester, UK – Contract: Full‑time, Permanent
Our client is a leading UK grower of premium soft fruit, committed to delivering exceptional quality produce through sustainable, compliant, and ethical farming practices. They pride themselves on high standards, innovation, and dedication to ensure customers receive the best possible product—from field to shelf.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Product Quality Assurance Manager to join the UK operations and play a key role in maintaining and enhancing quality standards.
The Role
As the Product Quality Assurance Manager, you will be the guardian of product quality and food safety standards across the site. You will lead the QA and Label Room teams, ensuring compliance with major standards such as BRCGS, Global G.A.P, Red Tractor, and specific customer requirements. You will work closely with departments across the business to manage non‑conformances, drive continuous improvement, and develop a strong "right first time" culture within production.
Key Responsibilities
* Ensure all products meet food safety, legality, integrity, and customer specification requirements (including BRCGS, TFS, Global Gap, Red Tractor).
* Deliver the required Quality Service Level (QSL) for both the business and customers.
* Investigate customer complaints, rejections, and other quality non‑conformances within agreed timeframes.
* Lead, develop, and support multi‑skilled Quality Assurance and Label Room teams.
* Manage the Quality Assurance budget.
* Promote continuous improvement by enhancing quality processes and driving a "right first time" culture.
* Conduct regular internal and external quality audits, reporting findings to key stakeholders.
* Support internal projects, customer visits, and cross‑departmental quality initiatives.
* Collate, analyse, and present quality performance data.
Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential Experience
* Previous experience in fresh produce quality or a similar food manufacturing role.
* HACCP Level 2 (Level 3 desirable).
* Food Safety Level 2 (Level 3 desirable).
* TACCP/VACCP training.
* Experience in BRCGS (Version 9).
* Experience supervising or leading teams in a quality environment.
* Strong communication experience, including customer interactions.
Desirable
* Lead Auditor training.
* Degree or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., food science, agriculture)
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