Well established company based in East London are looking for a qualified and experienced Quality Assurance Manager who will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, quality and compliance of products. Their primary responsibility is to develop, implement and manage quality control systems and processes to meet industry standards, regulatory requirements and customer expectations. Qualifications, Experience, Competencies and Attributes:Bachelor's degree in food science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, or a related field as a minimum requirementPost graduate qualification preferredMinimum of 5 years' experience in quality assurance and management within the food or dairy manufacturing industrySound knowledge and experience working with Quality Management Systems, including FSSC, ISO and GMPStrong knowledge of food safety regulations, quality control standards, and HACCP principlesExcellent leadership and team management skillsAnalytical and problem-solving abilitiesStrong communication and interpersonal skillsDetail-oriented with a commitment to product quality and safetyAbility to find better ways of working, continuous improvementComputer literate with Intermediate ExcelFocus on targets and quality to achieve resultsAble to motivate and lead others to meet resultsAccuracy and attention to detailPlanning, organising and prioritising skillsQuality Control SystemsDevelop, implement, and maintain quality control systems and procedures to monitor and control the production process, from raw material intake to finished product packagingRegulatory ComplianceEnsure the company complies with all relevant food safety and quality regulations, such as FDA, USDA, HACCP and any other applicable standards. Stay updated on changing regulations and adapt the company's practices accordingly.Quality AuditsConduct internal and external quality audits, ensuring that the dairy manufacturing facility adheres to established quality and safety standards. Address any non-conformities and implement corrective and preventive actions.Product TestingOversee the testing of products for quality attributes, including sensory evaluation, chemical composition, microbiological safety, and shelf-life analysis.Product ReleasesOversee the external testing and release of products and report timeouslyMaintain external laboratory relationshipPathogen Management Identify, monitor and mitigate pathogenic risks in production processes and productsWork closely with the sanitation team to monitor the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation processesDevelop and implement environmental monitoring programs for the production area to detect potential contamination sourcesDocumentationMaintain accurate records and documentation related to quality control processes, test results and regulatory complianceEnsure all documentation are organized and readily available for auditsSupplier QualityCollaborate with the supplier quality department to ensure that raw materials and ingredients meet quality standards and specificationsContinuous ImprovementIdentify opportunities for process improvement and work on enhancing product quality and operational efficiencyImplement Lean Six Sigma or other improvement methodologies as neededTrainingTrain and educate employees on quality control procedures, safety measures, and good manufacturing practices. Conduct regular training and awareness programs to instil a culture of quality within the organizationIncident ManagementDevelop and implement procedures for handling product quality issues, recalls and customer complaintsInvestigate root causes and implement corrective actionsCommunicationMaintain open lines of communication with other departments, including production, research and development and sales, to ensure that quality requirements and customer expectations are understood and met
