Food Safety and Quality Manager
19 days ago
Hounslow
Food Safety & Quality Manager Location: Hounslow Department: Quality Assurance Reports to: Head of Quality Assurance Contract: Full-time, Permanent (40 hours) Salary: £45,000-£50,000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 08:30-17:00, with occasional weekend work (approx. 1 weekend per month) The Opportunity We're seeking a proactive and inspirational Food Safety & Quality Manager to lead our UK Quality Assurance function within our high‑performance logistics and operational environment. This role is central to maintaining exceptional food safety standards, enhancing our quality culture, and ensuring full compliance across all operational processes-from offloading and dispatch to documentation, system updates, and FSSC 22000 responsibilities. You will be the strategic link between operations, customers, suppliers, and external authorities, driving standards, enabling continuous improvement, and ensuring our products and processes reflect company excellence. What You'll Do Leadership & Team Development Lead, coach, and motivate a team of supervisors, supported by QA/QC officers. Develop capability through clear direction, performance feedback, and hands‑on guidance. Champion food safety culture and operational excellence across all UK units. Operational & Logistics Quality Oversight Oversee food safety within logistics/operations-including offloading, dispatch, hygiene processes, and documentation. Manage routine processes such as microbiological sampling (three times weekly) and timely laboratory submissions. Coordinate internal and external food safety training requirements. Compliance, Audit & Certification Implement and improve HACCP systems and food safety procedures aligned to Codex Alimentarius. Ensure HALAL compliance and oversee annual certification. Plan and conduct internal audits (Hygiene, GMP, Glass & Foreign Body, HACCP). Support and participate in external audits, including local authority inspections, EHO/FSA visits, and FSSC 22000 certification. Maintain document control systems, including versioning and controlled access. Customer & Supplier Engagement Act as a key customer-facing representative, supporting customer‑driven projects and ensuring operational alignment with their requirements. Conduct supplier audits, approve suppliers, and collaborate with Purchasing to maintain raw material and ingredient compliance. Manage complaints from recording through investigation, ensuring clear communication with customers, suppliers, and senior leadership. Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement Investigate and resolve non‑compliances; drive corrective and preventive actions. Use data analysis and statistical insights to inform decision-making and improve processes. Identify opportunities for cross‑functional improvement across operations, logistics, and production teams. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Work closely with Executive and Operations teams to ensure product safety and quality by design. Partner with colleagues in high‑risk production areas (kitchens, goods‑in, off‑site frozen plants) to ensure seamless end‑to‑end safety and quality standards. What You'll Bring Proven leadership experience with a hands‑on, solutions‑focused approach. Strong operational understanding of food safety and quality, ideally within logistics, airline catering, or fast‑paced food environments. Excellent communication skills-clear, influential, and able to engage at all levels. A passion for premium food and exceptional service. Ability to thrive in a fast‑moving, customer-facing role with many moving parts. HACCP & Food Hygiene certification (essential). Degree in Food Science or significant relevant experience. Confidence with Microsoft Office, reporting, and data management systems. Good working knowledge of Health & Safety and Sustainability practices. Calm, decisive, flexible, and highly organised
