FSQA Manager - Ground beef

We are recruiting on behalf of a leading food manufacturer for an FSQA Manager to take ownership of food safety and quality within a high-risk ground beef processing operation.

This is a critical leadership role within a fast-paced, high-care environment where food safety, microbiological control, and regulatory compliance are absolutely paramount. The successful candidate will lead the FSQA function, ensuring robust systems are in place to protect product integrity, brand reputation, and consumer safety.

The Role

As FSQA Manager, you will be responsible for leading all food safety and quality assurance activities across a ground beef production facility. You will ensure full compliance with regulatory, customer, and internal standards while driving a strong food safety culture throughout the site.

You will work closely with operations, procurement, and engineering teams to manage risk, improve processes, and ensure consistent product quality in a high-risk raw meat environment.

Key Responsibilities

Food Safety & Compliance

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of HACCP systems specific to raw ground beef production
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory standards and customer requirements
• Manage site audit readiness and act as lead contact for external audits (regulatory, retailer, third-party certification bodies)
• Oversee traceability, recall readiness, and incident management procedures

High-Risk Raw Meat Control

• Manage food safety risks associated with raw ground beef processing, including E. coli, Salmonella, and cross-contamination controls
• Oversee raw material intake controls, grinding processes, and hygiene zoning (raw vs high-care separation)
• Ensure effective environmental monitoring and hygiene verification programmes
• Drive strict adherence to CCPs, process controls, and sanitation procedures

Quality Assurance & Systems

• Maintain and improve quality management systems in line with industry standards (e.g. BRCGS, customer codes of practice)
• Monitor product quality trends, non-conformances, and customer complaints
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes
• Ensure specifications and product standards are consistently met

Leadership & Culture

• Lead, coach, and develop the FSQA team
• Build a strong food safety culture across production and operations teams
• Influence operational behaviours and reinforce GMP standards on the floor
• Provide training and technical support to production teams

Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement in food safety systems and quality performance
• Use data and KPIs to identify trends and reduce risk
• Collaborate with operations and engineering to improve process control and consistency

About You

• Proven experience in an FSQA or Technical Manager role within meat or high-risk food manufacturing
• Strong background in raw meat processing, ideally ground beef or similar minced meat operations
• Deep understanding of HACCP, microbiological risk, and food safety regulations
• Experience with audit standards such as BRCGS or equivalent retailer requirements
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work in a high-pressure, fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related discipline preferred