Who you are joining
Join Besana UK, located in Ipswich, part of the Importaco Group — an international food company specialized in healthy, innovative, and sustainable production of nuts and mineral water.
In this role, you will ensure product safety, quality, and compliance across all operations, contributing directly to our commitment to excellence and sustainability.
Your mission and key responsibilities
Your mission will be to lead the company’s quality systems and culture, ensuring full compliance, continuous improvement, and alignment with global standards.
You will:
* Quality Systems & Compliance: Ensure compliance with international regulations and internal quality standards (HACCP, BRC, IFS, ISO 9001). Lead internal and external audits, manage certifications, and monitor regulatory changes.
* Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement: Oversee testing, inspections, and control processes. Apply improvement methodologies (QbD, 8D, Six Sigma) and digital tools to enhance robustness and reduce incidents.
* Laboratory & Crisis Management: Guarantee laboratory reliability and responsiveness. Actively participate in crisis committees, leading traceability and communication during food safety incidents.
* Customer Focus & Complaints Management: Investigate and resolve quality-related customer complaints, ensuring root cause analysis and preventive actions are implemented.
* Cross-functional Collaboration & Projects: Lead or participate in improvement initiatives and cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration with other departments and production sites.
* People & Team Leadership: Manage, coach, and develop the quality team. Promote a strong quality culture and align team objectives with business goals.
* Budget & Results Monitoring: Prepare and oversee the department’s budget. Analyze costs, track KPIs, and ensure efficiency and profitability.
* Sustainability & External Relations: Support sustainability initiatives, minimize environmental impact, and maintain strong relationships with food safety authorities and certification bodies.
What we value
* Degree or master’s in Food Science or a related field.
* 4–8 years of experience in Quality Assurance or Quality Management within the food industry.
* Proven experience with HACCP, BRCGS, IFS, or ISO 9001.
* Strong audit and compliance background.
* Leadership and communication skills to guide teams and foster collaboration.
Benefits of joining us
* Professional development: Opportunity to grow in an expanding international company.
* Sustainability-driven environment: Contribute to a project focused on innovation and responsible production.
* Collaborative culture: Work with committed professionals in a supportive and dynamic setting.
About the position:
* Permanent position
* Full-time position: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break.
* This position requires eligibility to work in the United Kingdom (UK right to work check will be carried out before hiring).