FSQA Manager - Poultry

We are recruiting on behalf of a leading poultry manufacturer seeking an experienced and highly motivated Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager to lead the site's food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance functions. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring products consistently meet the highest standards of food safety, quality, legality, and customer expectations while supporting operational excellence across the manufacturing facility.

The successful candidate will bring a strong background in food manufacturing, ideally within poultry or protein processing, with extensive knowledge of quality management systems, food safety legislation, retailer standards, and continuous improvement. This is an excellent opportunity to join a market-leading business committed to producing safe, high-quality products while driving innovation and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

Food Safety & Quality Leadership

• Lead the site's Food Safety and Quality Assurance function, ensuring the highest standards of product safety, quality, legality, and authenticity are maintained at all times.
• Develop, implement, and continually improve the site's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with all customer, retailer, regulatory, and company food safety and quality requirements.
• Promote a strong food safety and quality culture throughout the business.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to production and operational teams.

Quality Management Systems

• Manage and maintain HACCP plans, prerequisite programmes, and food safety documentation.
• Ensure the site remains fully compliant with BRCGS Food Safety Standards, GMP, and all applicable legislation.
• Review and update quality procedures, policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Lead investigations into quality issues, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and process consistency.

Compliance & Auditing

• Lead internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
• Ensure successful completion of retailer and certification audits.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant food safety legislation and industry standards.
• Monitor changing legislation and implement required updates across the business.
• Prepare technical reports and communicate audit outcomes to senior leadership.

Product Quality

• Monitor product quality throughout all stages of production.
• Investigate customer complaints, quality incidents, and non-conformances, implementing effective corrective actions.
• Analyse quality data and identify trends to support ongoing improvements.
• Work closely with production teams to minimise defects, waste, and product rework.
• Ensure product specifications and labelling remain accurate and compliant.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the Quality Assurance team.
• Manage team performance, succession planning, and employee development.
• Deliver food safety and quality training across the business.
• Foster a collaborative culture between Quality, Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams.

Supplier & Customer Management

• Support supplier approval processes and supplier quality management activities.
• Work closely with procurement to ensure raw materials meet required quality standards.
• Act as the primary technical contact for customers on quality-related matters.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, auditors, certification bodies, and regulatory authorities.

Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Support site Health & Safety initiatives and ensure quality activities are conducted safely.
• Promote compliance with environmental policies and sustainability initiatives where applicable.
• Ensure safe laboratory and quality inspection practices.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve food safety systems, product quality, and manufacturing processes.
• Support new product development and process validation activities.
• Drive efficiency improvements through data analysis, trend monitoring, and best practice implementation.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement across the site.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in Food Safety and Quality Assurance within food manufacturing.
• Experience within poultry, meat, protein, or other high-care food manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
• Proven experience managing quality teams in a manufacturing setting.
• Strong understanding of retailer standards and customer technical requirements.
• Experience leading external audits and maintaining certification standards.
• Demonstrated success in implementing quality improvements and maintaining regulatory compliance.

Technical Knowledge

• HACCP principles and food safety management systems.
• BRCGS Food Safety Standard.
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
• Food Safety and Hygiene legislation.
• Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Root Cause Analysis and CAPA methodologies.
• Internal and external auditing.
• Microbiological and chemical food safety principles.
• Product specifications, traceability, and labelling requirements.
• Retailer codes of practice and technical standards.

Leadership Skills

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Confident decision-maker with excellent problem-solving capability.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive a positive food safety culture.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

Desirable:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Quality Management, or a related discipline.
• Advanced HACCP qualification.
• Lead Auditor qualification.
• Food Safety Level 4 qualification.
• BRCGS Internal Auditor qualification.
• Membership of a relevant professional body is advantageous.