QA Manager

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.

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