Quality Systems Manager

Are you a Quality Systems professional who wants to do more than simply maintain a QMS? We’re working with a major UK food manufacturing business to recruit a Quality Systems Manager for one of its key manufacturing sites in Cumbria. This is a role with genuine ownership. You’ll take responsibility for the site Quality Management System, help shape the food safety and quality agenda and ensure the operation is continually improving rather than simply preparing for the next audit. Reporting to the Site Technical Manager, you’ll work closely with Operations, Engineering, SHE, Supply Chain and the wider Site Leadership Team, giving you significant exposure across the factory. The Role You’ll be responsible for: * Owning and continually improving the site QMS * Maintaining audit readiness across BRCGS, customer, regulatory and other third-party standards * Leading internal, external, customer and regulatory audit activity * Driving corrective and preventative actions through to completion * Managing document control, management review and compliance processes * Supporting HACCP, traceability, mass balance, validation and verification * Analysing complaints, audit results, customer feedback and quality trends * Using data to identify recurring issues and drive root-cause improvement * Producing technical KPIs and presenting performance to senior site stakeholders * Coaching teams and helping build a genuine food safety and quality culture * Leading and supporting continuous improvement projects It’s a broad systems role where you’ll have the opportunity to influence how quality operates across the site, rather than simply policing standards. About you We’re looking for someone with strong Quality Systems experience gained within food manufacturing who understands what a genuinely effective QMS looks like. You’ll ideally bring: * Around 5+ years’ experience within a food manufacturing technical environment * Strong knowledge of BRCGS and third-party/customer standards * Experience coordinating audits and compliance programmes * Level 3 Food Safety and HACCP as a minimum * Strong root-cause analysis and problem-solving capability * The confidence to challenge existing processes and influence people across Operations and Technical * A practical, continuous-improvement mindset Dairy experience would be advantageous but isn’t essential. Lead Auditor, Level 4 HACCP/Food Safety and continuous improvement experience would also be beneficial. Why apply? This isn’t a “keep the paperwork tidy” Quality Systems position. You’ll inherit a broad remit, have the autonomy to improve systems and processes, and work closely with senior stakeholders in a manufacturing environment where food safety, quality and continuous improvement genuinely matter. If you’re a Quality Systems Manager, Quality Manager, Technical Systems Manager or experienced Technical professional looking for greater ownership and influence, we’d like to hear from you