Quality Manager

Role Definition:

To lead and manage the Quality function at the Penston site, ensuring all products meet customer and regulatory standards. Act as the Head of technical Manager's eyes and ears on the factory floor, driving a culture of "right first time" and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership:

Oversee QA teams across day and back shifts, ensuring consistent application of quality standards.

Provide guidance and support to the Technical Supervisor and QA team.

Customer Focus & Compliance:

Own customer and regulatory standards on site, ensuring full compliance at all times.

Lead customer audits and visits in production, representing the site professionally and confidently.

Maintain and improve site quality systems and documentation to meet customer and legal requirements.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement:

Act as a solutions-driven leader, identifying root causes of quality issues and ensuring timely close-out.

Drive corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Work closely with Operations, Engineering, and Planning teams to embed quality into all processes.

Support technical projects and customer audits as required.

Factory Presence:

Maintain a strong presence on the factory floor to monitor standards and proactively address issues.

Be the primary point of contact for quality-related concerns during production.

Personal Specification

Previous experience in a Quality Management role within food manufacturing or similar industry.

Proven experience in leading customer audits and managing compliance to standards.

Knowledge of customer standards and regulatory requirements.

Level 3 HACCP and Level 3 Food Safety qualifications.

Self-starter with strong organisational skills.

High levels of integrity and commitment to "right first time" principles.

Excellent communication and influencing skills across all levels.

Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.

Ability to lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.

Customer-focused mindset with confidence in managing audits and visits.