Job Description

Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages

Location: Buxton, Derbyshire

Permanent, Full Time

Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 per annum

Some of our fantastic benefits

• Comprehensive pension scheme – up to 12% employer contribution
• Potential, discretionary annual bonus
• Generous holiday entitlement including 12 additional ‘flex’ days
• A focus on professional development and growth
• Private medical health cover

We have an exciting opportunity for a Factory Quality Manager, to join our Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages, team based at our state-of-the-art production facility in Buxton, Derbyshire.

At Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages, we believe water is the natural choice for healthy hydration: good for our bodies and good for the planet. So, we make it easy for consumers to enjoy natural source waters and our range of water products enhanced with other natural ingredients. In everything we do, we work hard to protect the purity nature brings; from taking care of the environment that our waters are sourced from, to accelerating our pathway to net zero carbon and managing our business sustainably into the future.

Your Impact

As a Quality Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing all quality systems and laboratory operations at the Buxton factory. Your primary mission will be to ensure food safety and compliance while fostering a culture of zero defects across all functions. This role is critical in maintaining consumer trust and preference, as you will lead the Quality Assurance (QA) department and represent the QA function on the Factory Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and People Management Lead the QA department, developing and maintaining competencies and quality awareness across the factory. Promote a zero-defect mindset among all employees to enhance overall quality performance.
• Quality System Management Set up, manage, enforce, and maintain all Nestlé quality requirements in the factory and for finished products. Lead the factory management review of quality processes to ensure compliance with internal standards.
• Laboratory Operations Ensure the proper functioning of the factory laboratory, including personnel training and equipment maintenance, to provide consistent and accurate results.
• Hygiene and Good Manufacturing Practices Ensure adherence to good hygienic practices and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) within the factory, including the verification of cleaning systems.
• Food Safety Oversight Lead food safety and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) teams to manage and mitigate food safety risks effectively.
• Continuous Improvement Initiatives Support the factory's Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) process by monitoring key quality parameters through statistical process control to drive structured root cause analysis and continuous improvement efforts.

Your ingredients for success

The Quality Manager position requires proven experience in quality assurance within a beverage or food manufacturing/production environment. Candidates should have a proven background in managing quality systems, with a focus on maintaining compliance and safety standards. This role demands a proactive approach to quality management, ensuring that the highest standards are upheld to foster consumer trust and satisfaction.

Key Skills and Experience

• Essential Qualifications Degree qualified in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or related studies.
• Quality Assurance Experience Proven experience in quality assurance within a food or beverage manufacturing environment, including QA auditing and managing quality systems.
• Product Development Knowledge Experience in introducing new products and applying continuous improvement tools and principles.
• Technical Expertise Knowledge of microbiological testing, food technology, and hygiene practices relevant to quality management.
• Leadership and Management Skills A proven ability to motivate, influence, and coach team members, alongside experience in line management.

What you need to know

Advert posting date: Tuesday 12/05/2026
Advert closing date: Tuesday 26/05/2026

We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.

At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect, and we believe that embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment allows everyone to reach their full potential and drives innovative thinking. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, parents, carers and members of the LGBT+ community. Please let us know if we can provide accommodations to ensure your full participation in the application process.

To find out more about Nestle’s commitment to DEI: Nestlé's Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

To find out more about your recruitment journey with Nestle: Recruitment Journey | Nestlé UK & Ireland