Area Manager QA

Reporting to the Technical Services manager, the Area Manager QA will manage a small team of QAs providing a comprehensive, responsive and professional day-to-day Quality Assurance service across the shift ensuring technical systems and standards are maintained at all times.

Key responsibilities include:
• Managing a small QA team.
• Collaborating and interacting with Production, Hygiene, Engineering and Purchasing to ensure technical and quality standards are achieved.
• Investigating out of specification micro, chemistry and complaints. Communicating findings and corrective actions to relevant management and QA team.
• Managing micro sampling schedules for customer and internal requirements.
• Internal audits (GMP and troubleshooting) against set standards and criteria.
• Analysing training needs for QA team members ensuring technical and QA capability is maintained to the highest standards
• Supporting QA and management team in managing non-conformance to technical KPIs and site quality standards.
• Collating data for customer and internal reports, improving systems and procedures in response to analysis and trends derived from technical data.
• In collaboration with Technical and Operation teams, managing the implementation of improvements to systems and procedures across shift.
• Reviewing raw material and out of specification issues with suppliers and internal departments implementing improvement plans as required.
• Working with Process, Technical Services, Audit, Purchasing, Hygiene, Engineering and Production to understand their requirements and prioritise against QA resources.
• Ensuring team members adhere to site Health & Safety requirements and safe systems of work (SSOW).

Person requirements:
• Internal audit trained.
• Qualified to degree level (or equivalent) in Food Sciences or Technical based discipline.
• Level 3 in HACCP qualification for manufacturing.
• 2- 4 (depending on qualifications) years technical / QA supervisor experience in chilled food sector.
• High standards of work.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong influencing skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff within the business and with outside contacts.
• Ability to build strong relationships with all levels of staff up to and including Senior Manager level.