QA Manager

Description:

We're looking for a QA Manager to champion food safety, quality, and compliance across our Clitheroe site. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a high-performing QA team, influence factory standards, and play a key role in delivering products our customers can trust.

You'll be a visible leader on the factory floor, working alongside Production, Engineering, Hygiene and Supply Chain teams to drive continuous improvement and ensure every product leaves site meeting the highest standards.

Location: The Compleat Food Group, Lincoln Way, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 1QD
Working Hours: 05:30 – 18:00, Fortnightly rotating shift pattern -  Week 1: Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday  Week 2: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Pay: Between £45 000 and £50 000per annum 

About The Compleat Food Group

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.

What You'll Be Doing

As our QA Manager, you'll lead the Quality Assurance function, ensuring products are manufactured safely, legally and to the highest quality standards.
Your responsibilities will include:

Lead, coach and develop the QA team to deliver outstanding performance
Set objectives, conduct performance reviews and identify development opportunities
Build a positive food safety and quality culture across all departments
Support recruitment, onboarding and succession planning
Recognise great performance while confidently managing performance improvement where needed
Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, BRCGS Food Safety Standard and retailer requirements
Maintain and continually improve the site's Quality Management System
Manage allergen controls, traceability, environmental monitoring and product release
Review and approve corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs)
Ensure quality documentation and records remain accurate and audit ready
Escalate any food safety or legal compliance risks promptly
Lead shift preparations for customer, regulatory and third-party audits
Support customer visits and external inspections
Coordinate corrective actions following audits
Manage pest control actions and environmental monitoring programmes
Monitor microbiological results and respond appropriately to non-conformances
Oversee product assessment and release
Investigate customer complaints, product holds and food safety incidents
Drive robust root cause analysis and preventative actions
Monitor quality trends and ensure products consistently meet customer and legal specifications
Support new product launches and share best practice across shifts
Promote excellent hygiene, GMP and food safety standards throughout the factory

What We're Looking For

Level 3 Food Safety
Level 3 HACCP Principles
Internal Auditor qualification
Previous experience within a food manufacturing or high-care environment
Strong knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Standards and UK retailer requirements
Experience with allergen management, environmental monitoring and quality systems
Experience leading or supervising Quality teams
Excellent understanding of food safety, quality systems and GMP
Knowledge of microbiology, allergen management and weight control
Strong coaching and leadership skills
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels
Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
High attention to detail and excellent organisational skills
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:

Financial & Lifestyle Benefits

Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
EV charging points - available at selected sites

Health & Wellbeing

24/7 access to GroceryAid 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

Career Growth & Development

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 - including Women @ Compleat
New baby gift for new parents
We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.

REF-(Apply online only)