Quality Assurance Manager (food manufacturing)

Are you a people-focused QA food manufacturing professional who loves coaching, mentoring, and building a true quality culture? The Oval Partnership is currently supporting a B-Corp accredited, specialist food and nutrition business to recruit a Quality Assurance (QA) Manager. Reporting to the Head of Quality, the QA Manager role is split between people development, onsite operational excellence, and international 3rd party co - manufacturer management; ensuring effective Root Cause Analysis and investigations are completed in relation to customer complaints and non-conformances. Key Responsibilities of the Quality Assurance (QA) Manager: * Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and develop a team of three direct reports. * Onsite QA & Food Safety: Act as the HACCP Team Leader for the Liverpool production plant, driving GMP excellence and auditing standards. * Co-Manufacturer Management: Oversee quality relationships across European co-manufacturers, leading non-conformance and complaint investigations using structured RCA. * Industrialisation Support: Ensure QA presence at trials and 1st/2nd production runs. * Audit Readiness: Support the wider business in maintaining readiness for internal and external audits What We Are Looking For: * A Natural Coach: Proven experience in leading, motivating, and developing individuals. * Technical Expertise: Strong working knowledge of QMS, GMP, HACCP, and FSSC 22000 requirements within a food manufacturing environment. * Problem Solvers: Experience leading quality investigations and utilising structured Root Cause Analysis. * Travel Flexibility: Willingness and availability to travel internationally (primarily Europe) at relatively short notice, typically at least once a month, to attend trials and audit co-manufacturers. * Education: A university degree (Microbiology, Chemistry, or Food Sciences preferred) or equivalent industry experience. Benefits include: * Bonus scheme. * Hybrid working with flexible hours * 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and a Christmas shutdown. * Excellent pension scheme (up to 10% employer matched contribution). * Private healthcare