Food Safety & Quality Manager

Location: On site / Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
job type: Temporary / Full-time
Sector and subsector: FMCG Production
Salary: Competitive salary

Avoca is a leading food manufacturing company in Ireland, dedicated to producing high-quality and safe food products. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, innovation, and compliance, we have established ourselves as a trusted brand in the industry. We are currently seeking a skilled and dedicated Food Safety and Quality Manager to join our team and ensure the highest standards of food safety and quality throughout our operations.

Job Summary:

As the Food Safety and Quality Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of food safety and quality assurance within our organisation. Your primary objective will be to develop, implement, and maintain effective quality control and food safety programs, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and customer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Managing a small team of QCs as part of the site's management team
• Leading change, driving new initiatives and managing a programme of cultural transformation within the site
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive food safety and quality management systems in alignment with applicable regulations, standards, and certifications (e.g., HACCP, ISO, BRC, etc.)
• Establish and enforce robust food safety and quality protocols, policies, and procedures across all areas of the company, including production, warehousing, and distribution
• Managing the sampling and testing programmes, i.e. environmental monitoring programme, product sampling and testing programme, product shelf life validation studies and maintenance of a documented sampling and testing programme
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to evaluate compliance with food safety and quality standards, identify potential risks, and implement corrective actions as needed
• Monitor and assess supplier performance and raw material quality, ensuring adherence to specifications and conducting supplier audits as necessary
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to develop and update product specifications, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality control checkpoints
• Provide training and guidance to employees at all levels regarding food safety and quality practices, including hygiene, sanitation, GMPs, and quality assurance procedures
• Conduct internal audits to assess the effectiveness of the food safety and quality management systems, identify areas for improvement, and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Investigate and resolve customer complaints or product non conformities related to food safety and quality, ensuring timely and appropriate corrective actions
• Collaborate with external agencies, auditors, and regulatory bodies during inspections, audits, and certifications to ensure compliance and maintain positive relationships.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in food science, food technology, microbiology, or a related field. A master's degree is preferred
• 3+ years' experience in a similar role, with a strong background in food safety and quality management within RTE/ BRC manufacturing environment in a technical/ quality capacity
• A food safety and/or quality auditing qualification & training qualification would be advantageous
• In depth knowledge of relevant food safety regulations, standards (e.g., FSSC 22000, SQF), and certifications
• Experience in implementing and maintaining HACCP, ISO, or other recognized food safety management systems
• Strong understanding of microbiological testing, food analysis, and laboratory quality control procedures
• Excellent knowledge of GMPs, sanitation practices, and quality control methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and make informed decisions
• Proven track record of leading and managing cross functional teams, as well as implementing training programs
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including reporting to senior management on food safety performance
• Detail oriented with a focus on accuracy and compliance.

If you are a dedicated and experienced professional with a passion for food safety and quality assurance, and possess the skills and qualifications mentioned above, we invite you to join our team at Avoca. Together, we can ensure the highest standards of food safety and quality, while delivering exceptional products to our customers and maintaining our reputation as an industry leader delivering exceptional food products to our customers while driving operational excellence.