Interim Assistant Quality Manager

Location: Southall Middlesex
Salary: £40,000 – £50,000 depending on experience
Hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:30

Contract: 6-12 month interim placement

Our client is a global producer and supplier of French style bakery products including viennoiserie such as croissants and pain au chocolat alongside bread savoury items and pâtisserie. Their frozen part baked and fully baked products are supplied to foodservice professionals retailers and bakers across more than 100 countries.

They are currently seeking an Interim Assistant Quality Manager to support the technical team in maintaining high food safety quality and compliance standards across the site.

Key Responsibilities

Health and Safety

• Support and promote a strong health and safety culture across the site
• Ensure correct PPE is worn and safety procedures are followed at all times
• Identify report and investigate hazards accidents or near misses
• Act as a role model for health and safety best practice

Food Safety and Hygiene

• Support delivery of HACCP food safety hygiene and environmental standards
• Maintain and review HACCP studies PRPs and food defence systems
• Conduct internal audits including GMP allergen and system audits
• Monitor food safety KPIs and implement corrective actions where required
• Carry out root cause analysis for food safety incidents and non conformances
• Support traceability exercises and allergen risk assessments
• Investigate customer complaints and implement corrective actions

Quality Systems and Compliance

• Support management of site quality management systems and accreditations
• Prepare for and participate in internal and external audits
• Log non conformances and manage corrective actions within group systems
• Maintain traceability of ingredients work in progress and finished products
• Ensure accurate documentation and positive product release through QA team

Team Management and Operations

• Lead support coach and guide the quality team on food safety and hygiene standards
• Monitor team performance and support improvement initiatives
• Manage attendance and support staff training where required
• Represent the quality team at meetings and support senior leadership during audits or visits
• Deputise for the Technical Manager or HACCP team leader when required

Communication and Reporting

• Communicate effectively across departments and with external stakeholders
• Prepare reports and present quality and food safety performance data
• Monitor training requirements relating to food safety and quality systems
• Work closely with production engineering NPD and HR teams

Skills and Experience

• Strong understanding of bakery operations and dough processes
• Experience working within food manufacturing preferably within bakery production
• Minimum 3 years experience in a quality management or technical role
• Previous people management or team leadership experience
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Word Excel and PowerPoint
• Strong understanding of health and safety and food safety systems
• Experience working to retailer standards and customer audit requirements

Technical Knowledge and Certifications

• HACCP Level 3 certification
• Internal auditing qualification
• Good understanding of BRC and ISO 22000 standards
• Knowledge of retailer food safety standards including M&S WR and JS
• Experience managing allergen controls supplier assurance and traceability systems
• Experience conducting internal audits root cause analysis and corrective actions

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Food Science and Technology or a related discipline
• Advanced food safety training such as Food Safety Level 4 and HACCP Level 3
• Training in food defence food fraud allergen risk management traceability and pest management
• Strong understanding of BRC and retailer food safety standards

Desirable

• Master’s degree in Food Science or related field
• Advanced HACCP Level 4 certification

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced quality or technical professional within food manufacturing to join a global bakery business and support the continued delivery of high food safety and quality standards.

If this role sounds like something you would be interested in please apply below.