Your new company

A leading food manufacturing business in Newtownards is seeking an experienced QA Manager to join its technical leadership team. The company operates in a fast paced, highly regulated environment and is committed to producing high quality, safe, authentic and compliant food products. With an ongoing focus on continuous improvement, customer satisfaction and audit excellence, this is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious QA professional ready to step into a key management role.

Your new role

As QA Manager, you will ensure that the site’s Quality Management System delivers consistently safe and legally compliant products that meet customer and regulatory expectations. You will oversee QMS documentation, manage non-conformance, lead corrective actions, and drive root cause analysis across the site. You will take responsibility for internal auditing, customer audits, BRCGS audit preparation, allergen and CCP validation programmes, lab testing schedules, hygiene and fabrication standards, and pest control management.
You will lead, mentor and develop the QA team while supporting NPD trials, risk assessments, production monitoring and day-to-day quality operations. You will host customer, regulatory and third party audits when required, deputise for the Technical Manager, deliver site briefings, and ensure audit readiness at all times. This is a hands‑on leadership role requiring strong technical expertise, excellent communication skills and the confidence to influence across all levels of the business.

What you'll need to succeed

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a QA or technical role, ideally within food manufacturing, plus a relevant third level qualification
• Strong working knowledge of QMS, BRCGS, internal auditing, food safety and HACCP (Level 3 desirable)
• Proven ability to lead, train and develop teams while driving continuous improvement
• Strong decision making skills, with experience managing non-conformance, root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem solving skills, with the flexibility to support early starts for audits or customer visits

What you'll get in return

• A competitive package with salary negotiable depending on experience
• Monday–Friday working pattern, with one Sunday per month as required
• 8am–5pm hours with flexibility for early starts during audit or visit requirements
• Opportunity to lead a high performing QA team within a well structured technical department
• Exposure to BRCGS audits, NPD activity, validation programmes and senior level technical decision making

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.