Quality Assurance Manager

Thornton Engineering are currently looking to recruit an experienced and qualified Quality Assurance Manager to join their team in Corio VIC.

The successful candidate will need to undertake and possess:

• Lead the QA/QC Team
• Ensures adherence to the Company's Quality Policy, Manual and Quality Procedures
• Ensures adherence to Code requirements and client specifications
• Manages internal, external and supplier audit requirements
• Timely delivery of project deliverables (e.g., ITP, MDR, etc)
• Timely review of project specifications
• Ensure adherence to project budgets for QC activities
• Review and implement production systems to best practice standards.
• Mentor and develop skills of QA/QC officers and inspector and trade staff

Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering field
• Quality Assurance Manager Certificate
• Lead Auditor Certificate
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role
• Proven knowledge of ISO requirements and standards, with AS and ASME Code requirements, of NDT and Destructive Testing techniques, - codes and procedures
• Quick and effective business relationship development skills to work in partnership with stakeholders
• Good communication skills and good organizational skills
• Able to work as part of, and lead a team under pressure
• Personal drive, initiative and resourcefulness
• Management and leadership ability
• High-level proficiency with MS Office programs and databases

Applications open on 10th February 2026 and closes on 12th March 2026.

If you are interested in this role APPLY now. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Zappia Produce Group (ZPG) is a family‑run fresh produce merchant with decades of market experience and strong grower and customer relationships. The business is built on a culture of passion, integrity and hands‑on market service — operating at Sydney Markets and specialising in high‑quality, seasonal and specialty fruit & vegetables. ZPG maintains formal compliance and trading documentation to support quality, traceability and fair trading with growers and customers — including recognised accreditations and clear Terms of Trade that reference Fresh Specs and the Horticulture Produce Agreement (HPA).

These systems underpin how ZPG manages supplier onboarding, rejects, credits and traceability across the merchant supply chain. Zappia Produce Group is seeking an experienced, practical Quality Assurance Manager to lead food‑safety, product quality and supplier compliance across its market and warehouse operations. The role is based at Sydney Markets with frequent supplier interaction.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• Relevant bachelor degree.
• Minimum of one year experience in quality assurance, food safety or quality management — experience in fresh produce, horticulture or perishable foods is highly desirable.
• Practical HACCP knowledge and experience implementing/managing food‑safety systems; experience with third‑party audits (Freshcare/HARPS or similar) advantageous.
• Strong experience with supplier audits, specification compliance, traceability and corrective action management.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Own and maintain the company’s food‑safety and quality management systems (HACCP/Food Safety Plans, QA documentation, traceability and recall procedures).
• Lead internal quality audits and coordinate external audits/certifications (e.g., Freshcare/HARPS or equivalent third‑party standards).
• Manage supplier onboarding and ongoing supplier assurance in line with ZPG Terms of Trade and HPA requirements — including produce specification checks, documentation, grower agreements and audit follow‑ups.
• Operate and improve traceability systems and recall readiness; coordinate communications and corrective action in the event of product quality incidents or rejects.
• Perform product inspections, sampling and testing; lead non‑conformance investigations, root‑cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions.
• Develop, monitor and report quality KPIs (rejects, customer complaints, cold chain integrity, supplier performance) and present actionable insights to management.
• Work closely with Procurement, Supply Chain and…