Deputy Quality Assurance Manager

Deputy Quality Assurance Manager

Full Time | County Durham

Permanent

Competitive Salary + Company Pension + Life Insurance + Employee Benefits Platform + Employee Assistance Programme & 24/7 GP Access

An established, award‑winning food manufacturing business is seeking a motivated and experienced Deputy Quality Assurance Manager to join its team. Operating within B2B markets, the organisation has built an excellent reputation for quality, consistency, and service, supported by a strong people‑first culture and long‑standing industry expertise.

With nearly three decades of continued growth, this role offers an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Quality professional to take the next step in their career, contributing directly to the protection and enhancement of food safety and quality standards across the site.

This position is ideal for someone passionate about food safety, quality assurance, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will work closely with the QA Manager and cross‑functional teams to ensure ongoing compliance, audit readiness, and the effective delivery of best practice across the operation.

• Supporting the management and coordination of the Food Safety & Quality Management System (FSQMS).
• Coordinating and supporting internal audits and assisting with external audits, including BRCGS and Halal.
• Supporting the management, review, and planning of HACCP activities.
• Assisting with investigations into internal incidents, non‑conformances, and customer complaints.
• Supporting microbiological and chemical testing, environmental swabbing, product sampling, and review of results.
• Contributing to traceability exercises, recall simulations, and mass balance checks.
• Providing day‑to‑day coaching and support to QA Coordinators and QA Technicians.
• Working collaboratively with QC, Hygiene, and Operations teams.
• Supporting scrape‑down and clean‑down planning and activities.
• Assisting with pest control and waste management systems.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across food safety, quality, and compliance.

The ideal candidate will be an organised and proactive Quality Assurance professional with experience in the food manufacturing industry and a strong commitment to maintaining high standards.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Level 3 HACCP qualification (minimum).
• Level 3 Food Safety in Manufacturing.
• Internal Auditor training (BRCGS or equivalent).
• Experience supporting BRCGS audits, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience supervising or coaching others.
• A detail‑focused, solutions‑driven mindset.
• Values aligned with a culture focused on passion, respect, integrity, motivation, and ambition.