Job Description

This role is based in our factory in Rainham, ESSEX.

The Quality Assurance Supervisor leads a quality assurance team to verify that all materials, including finished products, are safe and conform to relevant specifications, legislation, and customer requirements across an end-to-end ready-to-eat (RTE) food manufacturing environment. The role is multi-skilled, able to operate across any area of the manufacturing unit, and provides QA cover and consistency across all shifts.

The Quality Assurance Supervisor has day-to-day authority over resource management and people management within the QA team, and is empowered to take action and escalate non-conformance, quality, safety, or legality issues within local practice and standards. Actions are expected to be completed and resolved within a shift, working to clear schedules and standard operating procedures, with resourcing reviewed on a quarterly basis.

The role works closely with production and operations teams to drive continuous improvement in quality and food safety, supporting regulatory, third-party, and customer audits and helping to embed a strong quality culture across the site.

Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Resource Management

• Manage the QA team to ensure appropriate cover across all shifts as required.
• Plan and manage resource availability against the agreed resource plan.
• Manage the QA budget against plan.
• Own day-to-day people management within the QA team, including performance, capability, and rota management, with resourcing reviewed on a quarterly basis.
• Track and manage training delivery against the planned training schedule.
• Supervise the QA team's daily operations, including scheduling and performance evaluations.

Audit & Compliance Monitoring

• Complete audits and KPIs, monitoring the consistency of outputs across the team for compliance purposes.
• Ensure adherence to the audit schedule, generating and monitoring KPIs on an ongoing basis.
• Ensure the quality of information recorded by the team meets required standards.
• Maintain understanding and oversight of the internal audit process and relevant Technical KPIs.
• Ensure compliance with recognised food safety and regulatory standards (HACCP, GMPs, BRCGS/SQF) and customer specifications.
• Monitor and audit production processes on an ongoing basis to verify adherence to quality and food safety standards.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of HACCP and food safety plans.
• Assist with regulatory, third-party, and customer audits, ensuring documentation is accurate, complete, and audit-ready.

Training & Capability Development

• Train the team to ensure new processes and procedures are adopted effectively, tracking team capability and change adoption.
• Build production team capability to improve communication and understanding of technical standards, ensuring the quality of data provided and root cause analysis meets required standards.
• Deliver training programmes for employees on quality standards, food safety policy, and regulatory requirements.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging regulation, and best practice to continuously enhance the QA programme.

Non-Conformance & Complaint Investigation

• Investigate customer complaints and any non-conformance raised internally or externally, providing data that informs resolution.
• Ensure alignment of investigation outcomes with Manufacturing Unit and wider business team strategy, incorporating feedback from Operations.
• Apply non-conformance reporting techniques consistently across the team.
• Lead and support the QA team in root cause analysis and structured problem-solving relating to product quality and safety, implementing corrective and preventive actions as necessary.
• Maintain accurate, well-organised records of inspections, test results, and quality documentation.

Sensory & Quality Panels

• Organise the organoleptic panel to ensure consistent product quality.
• Ensure knowledge and implementation of best practice across the Manufacturing Unit, with adherence to schedule and corrective actions.

Health, Safety & Environment

• Ensure a safe working environment exists for all colleagues, meeting as a minimum the standards set out in the SHE policy.
• Ensure accurate RIDDOR and near-miss reporting across the QA team and wider department.

Decision-Making Authority

• Resource management within the QA team.
• Authority to take action and escalate non-conformance, quality, safety, or legality issues within local practice and standards.
• Day-to-day people management of the QA team, working to clear schedules and standard operating practices.
• Actions are expected to be completed and resolved within a shift, with resourcing reviewed via quarterly rota review.

S kills & Experience

• HND and/or experience within food manufacturing, or a degree in Food Science, Microbiology,
• Quality Assurance, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years' experience in quality assurance within a ready-to-eat (RTE) food manufacturing environment, including experience leading a team in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Level 3 Food Safety qualification including microbiological awareness — understanding of the basics of food safety
• Level 2 Health and Safety qualification.
• HACCP and BRCGS/SQF certification
• Computer literate, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality management software
• Basic allergen awareness and practical management of allergens
• Understanding of the internal audit process.
• Basic knowledge of weight legislation and understanding of Technical KPIs.
• CCP training, knowledge of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) techniques
• Non-conformance reporting techniques.
• Basic hygiene principles
• Basic legal labelling practice.
• Proficiency in quality management systems, statistical process control, and root cause analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail, with strong communication and
• leadership skills to work collaboratively across departments.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional weekends or shift cover as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Assurance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in quality assurance within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of quality control methodologies and tools.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Familiarity with ISO standards and regulatory requirements.