Quality Assurance Manager

Our client is a producer of non-alcoholic drinks based in the Midlands, UK. They are looking for a Quality Assurance Manager to take ownership of quality and food safety at a new facility. Reporting to the Head of Production, the successful candidate will be responsible for the systems, documentation and daily checks that ensure every bottle leaving the site is safe, compliant and of the highest possible quality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Certification & Compliance
Lead and maintain BRCGS certification, ensuring the site complies with all relevant food safety legislation, customer requirements, and retailer standards. Keep the business audit-ready through regular internal audits and by managing external audits and inspections.
• HACCP & Risk Assessment
Develop, implement, and maintain HACCP systems and prerequisite programmes. Carry out risk assessments across food safety, allergens, hygiene, pest control, glass, and foreign-body management to minimise operational risks.
• Daily Quality Assurance & Site Standards
Oversee daily quality checks, approve product release, and ensure hygiene, sanitation, and CIP processes are effective. Maintain consistent product quality and site standards across all production activities.
• Technical, Analytical & Shelf-Life Testing
Manage technical testing programmes, including analytical and sensory assessments, microbiological testing, equipment calibration, and shelf-life validation. Ensure product specifications are maintained and products consistently meet quality standards.
• Labelling & Product Compliance
Review and approve product labelling, artwork, and specifications to ensure compliance with legal requirements and customer expectations. Manage technical documentation, retailer questionnaires, and customer information requests.
• Documentation, Traceability & Continuous Improvement
Maintain accurate records and full product traceability from raw materials to finished goods. Oversee supplier approval, mock recalls, complaints, non-conformances, and corrective actions, using data to drive continuous improvement and support a strong food safety culture across the site.

Experience and Qualifications:

• QA experience – Quality assurance experience in food or beverage manufacturing, ideally in liquid processing, bottling or brewing.
• Certification – Experience with BRCGS or another GFSI-recognised standard. If you have taken a site through certification would be a significant advantage.
• HACCP qualified – HACCP trained, ideally to Level 3, with the ability to build plans from scratch.
• Technical knowledge – Confident with analytical testing including pH, CO₂, Brix and an understanding of microbiological testing.
• Regulatory knowledge – Sound working knowledge of UK food safety law and good manufacturing practice.
• Desirable – Science-based qualification (food science, microbiology or similar), or equivalent experience
• Desirable – Internal auditor training

Applications from candidates already eligible to work in the UK only please.

For more information, please contact Penny Zaloumis at Carling Recruitment
penny.zaloumis@carlingrecruitment.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 893100.