Quality Assurance Manager

Our client is Ireland's fastest growing consumer foods business and largest chilled ready-meal manufacturer. We are specialists at innovating within the chilled category across manufacturing, retail, and service channels. Our client is home to Fit Foods & Dublin Meat Company.  

Scope of the Role

Reporting to the Technical manager the Quality Manager will work as part of the quality team and develop close working relationships with production and maintenance teams. Manage site Food Safety & Quality in compliance with all Legal and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

The below responsibilities are to be demonstrated through direct action and through effective leadership and management of the Quality team; includes (but are not limited to) the following:

• Work with all departments and management colleagues to ensure that the food safety, quality, and legality of all products produced is being maintained at all times, complying with customer specifications. to ensure that products placed on the market are safe, compliant, and traceable.
• Ability and experience of managing a team of QA to ensure the best performance and collaboration.
• Provide technical expertise and advice in the areas of food safety working together to overcome business challenges in a busy environment.
• Manage, implement, and monitor the Food Safety Management system including the haccp plan.
• To drive continuous improvement through developing and progressing the current quality systems and operational processes within the business.
• To encourage, manage and develop the Quality Assurance team, by leading by example, encouraging teamwork and driving improved performance within the team.
• Support and participate in business improvement projects and actively drive continuous improvements.
• Support and assist the site as part of the HACCP/ TACCP teams.
• Ensure all required departmental audits are carried out with effective corrective actions implemented and closed out in a timely manner by co-ordinating with quality team and other departments.
• Oversee the hygiene function to ensure effective hygiene of the site to support the company’s vison. 
• Ensure sites production records are validated on a timely basis.
• Completing complaint investigations, identifying root cause, implementing effective corrective, preventive actions, and closeouts. To include trends and effective communication of these trends to the team.
• Ensure there is an effective pest control programme in place with up-to-date trends.
• Conducting site risk assessments as guided.
• Reviewing and trending site microbiological results, identifying adverse results and co-ordinating effective corrective actions and validations.

Essential Experience and Knowledge:

• Hold a 3rd level qualification in a Food Science related subject.
• Previous Quality Management experience within the food manufacturing setting. Experience working within the ready meals industry would be an advantage.
• Extensive knowledge of auditing, quality standards and systems, quality management techniques such as HACCP, Process Control, and knowledge of food legislation
• Ability to work to strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment is essential.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, being able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team, leading by example.
• Experience of managing projects, managing people and colleagues to achieve results in essential.
• Good IT skills and report writing skills.
• Experience working with retailers and their audit requirements.
• Experience working and implementing food safety management systems that comply with GFSI standards including BRC.
• A passion for food and quality.