Overview
Join to apply for the Quality Assurance Manager role at Inspired Pet Nutrition.
Location: Thirsk, North Yorkshire
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
The Opportunity
We’re excited to be recruiting for a Quality Assurance Manager to join our team in Thirsk. This is a key role ensuring that all products are manufactured to the highest food safety, quality, and compliance standards, safeguarding both customer confidence and brand integrity. Reporting into the Technical Manager, you’ll lead the Quality Assurance function on site, managing the QMS, overseeing audits, driving a “Right First Time” culture, and developing a high-performing QA team.
The Company
At IPN, we’re passionate about pet nutrition. We’re an award-winning, innovative FMCG manufacturer with a growing family of brands including Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butchers and Classic Cat. We’re proud to employ hundreds of colleagues across 3 different site locations in the UK – Thirsk, North Yorkshire; Crick, Northamptonshire; and Kinmel, Wales. Our heritage, values, and growth journey make us one of the UK’s leading independent pet food businesses. Quality is central to everything we do.
The Role
As Quality Assurance Manager, you will:
* Lead and manage the Quality Assurance function, embedding robust procedures and documentation.
* Ensure compliance with BRCGS, retailer, legal, and group standards.
* Maintain and continually improve the site QMS, ensuring full traceability.
* Oversee in-process and finished product checks, ensuring product quality and labeling accuracy.
* Lead site audits, customer visits, and support investigations into nonconformance.
* Promote a culture of food safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
* Develop, mentor, and grow the QA team to build capability and career progression.
* Lead KPI metrics including CPMU, RFT, and audit scores.
What We’re Looking For
* Proven Quality Assurance management experience in food or pet food manufacturing.
* Strong understanding of BRCGS standards and customer codes of practice.
* Experience in internal audit management and QMS implementation (digital desirable).
* Root Cause Analysis problemsolving capability.
* Knowledge of food legislation and compliance requirements.
* Lead Auditor qualification.
* HACCP Level 3 and Food Safety Level 3.
* Strong communicator, able to influence and engage across the site.
The Package
* Salary: Competitive
* Bonus: 10% annual company bonus scheme
* Hours: 40 hours per week – Monday to Friday
* Pension: Employee contributions 3% / Employer contributions 8% (salary sacrifice scheme)
* Holidays: 25 days + bank holidays
* Life Assurance
* Medicash Plan
* Private Health
* Enhanced leave policies – maternity, paternity, pawternity, pawreavement
* Perks: Free parking, onsite electric charging, bring your dog to work, subsidised canteen, discounted products & free hot drinks
* Flexible benefits – cycle to work, workplace nurseries, dental insurance (via salary sacrifice or pay deductions)
* Heavily discounted pet food
* Free Netflix/Spotify subscription
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