Join Our Technical Team at The Compleat Food Group! We’re looking for a motivated and detail-focused Quality Group Leader, to lead our team of Quality Control Technicians. In this key role, you’ll support our commitment to compliance with Group, Customer, and BRC standards while driving continuous improvement across the business. You'll play a vital part in upholding our due diligence processes and ensuring product quality at every step.
The Group Quality Leader will be responsible for maintaining, updating, and effectively implementing the Poole Bakery Food Safety and Quality Plans in line with customer requirements and legislative standards. This role will also lead, manage and motivate the Quality Control Technicians to ensure high standards across the factory.
About The Compleat Food Group At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to createFood to Feel Good – great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.
We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own‑label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added‑value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant‑based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.
With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.
We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.
Working Hours:
3 on 3 off: 6am to 6pm
Location:
Poole
Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities
Manage the shift QCTS to ensure effective: recruitment, personnel management, training and succession planning.
Engage with site stakeholders and departments including HR, SHE, hygiene, process development, operations, planning, technical services, engineering and site services.
Lead Shift Quality Meetings based on food safety and quality issues.
Management of product surveillance, complaints, microbiological, chemistry, taste panel and environmental testing.
Management of non‑conformity and control of out of specification product and materials.
Concessions management.
Manage artwork/packaging verification/approval, to ensure new artwork is compliant to customer and legal requirements.
Manage Internal Audits and GMPs – Issue schedule based on risk assessment, assign audits, complete internal, system, process, traceability / mass balance, CCP and GMP audits as required.
Manage technical quality equipment and consumables within budget.
Generate and manage KPIs reports as required by the site, group, and customers.
Traceability and Mass Balance – in compliance with customer requirements.
Creation and maintenance of technical procedures as required.
Complete validations and verifications.
Support HACCP Team as required.
Management of different audits, e.g. internal audits, quality system, fabrication, CCPs, traceability, mass balance, and GMP audits according to company schedule.
Management of the FSA contacts and completion of export documentation.
Site Lead on Internal Audits, Including process, traceability, fabrication, CCP, GMP.
Site Lead on Validation.
Drive factory standards to be audit ready all the time.
Step down to provide quality control technician cover when needed.
Any other tasks/projects delegated by Factory Technical Manager that are related to the job.
Additional Opportunities for a Quality Group Leader
Site Lead on QUID.
Site Lead on Technical Projects including the implementation of new technologies on site.
Site Lead on Microbiology and Testing.
Complete Gap Analysis to customer, group and industry codes of practice.
Be the site subject matter expert on: SUSSLE, Auto Coding, Weight Control.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Experience
Minimum 5 years of experience in food industry
Experience with working with Quality Management System
Applied knowledge of quality assurance principles and GMP
Validations design and implementation
Internal audit
Gap analysis
Management of product testing and micro investigations
Experience of managing a small team is advantageous.
Key Skills
Ability to consistently meet deadlines
Good analytical skills
Proficient in the use of MS Office tools
Problem solving
Clear written and verbal communication with a flexible approach for appropriate bottom‑up and top‑down communication channels.
Good time management
Positive “can do” attitude
Ability to identify and act on opportunities for improvements
Be able to engage with site colleagues at all levels to share knowledge and act as site expert
To act with integrity
Knowledge
Familiarity with the food legislation
Food degree or relevant field qualification is advantageous
HACCP level 3 is advantageous
Food safety level 3 is advantageous
Why Join Us? At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and career growth:
Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
EV charging points – available at selected sites
24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
Physical Wellbeing Hub – free on‑demand exercise classes, gym discounts
Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
Online wellbeing support – from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
Financial wellbeing tools – including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
Recognition through Club Compleat rewards
Community & Culture
2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
Charity initiatives and fundraising events
Team socials to connect and celebrate together
Employee networks & support groups – Women @ Compleat
New baby gift for new parents
The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.
We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, and ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.
Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.
Recruitment Agencies We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team.
Job Attachment Job_Description_-_Quality_Group_Leader.docx
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