Job Description:

QA/Technical Manager – Job Description

Location: North Lanarkshire
Salary: Competitive + Benefits

Alexander Steele Recruitment is working in partnership with a well-established and highly respected food manufacturer to recruit an experienced QA/Technical Manager. This is an excellent opportunity to join a business that supplies high-quality products to major UK retailers and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Reporting into the Head of Technical, you will lead the site's Quality Assurance function, ensuring compliance with food safety legislation, customer requirements, and industry standards while driving a culture of quality across the manufacturing operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Quality Assurance team, promoting a proactive quality culture across the site.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, legal, customer, and BRCGS standards.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead internal, customer, and third-party audits, ensuring successful outcomes and robust corrective actions.
• Manage customer complaints, non-conformances, root cause investigations, and CAPAs.
• Lead and maintain the site's HACCP, TACCP, and VACCP programmes.
• Monitor factory standards, GMP, hygiene, and quality controls through regular auditing and verification activities.
• Work collaboratively with Production, Engineering, NPD, and Supply Chain to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage supplier quality standards and support supplier approval processes.
• Monitor quality KPIs, identify trends, and implement improvement plans.
• Ensure technical documentation, specifications, and due diligence records are maintained accurately.
• Support new product introductions and process improvements from a technical perspective.
• Deliver training and coaching to promote best practice in food safety and quality.

About You

We're looking for an experienced Technical or QA professional with a strong background in food manufacturing and a passion for driving quality standards.

To be successful, you'll have:

• Previous experience in a QA Manager, Technical Manager, or similar leadership role within food manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP, GMP, food safety legislation, and retailer standards.
• Experience leading customer, retailer, and third-party audits.
• Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Strong leadership and people management experience.
• The ability to build positive relationships across multiple departments.
• A proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline (preferred).
• HACCP Level 3 or above.
• Food Safety qualification.
• Internal Auditor qualification (desirable).

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to join a successful and growing food manufacturer supplying leading UK retailers.
• A key leadership role with genuine scope to influence quality standards and continuous improvement.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.

If you're an experienced QA or Technical professional looking for your next challenge within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.