Quality Assurance Team Leader

Location: Hay Mills

Quality Assurance Team Leader

Location:

Birmingham (Onsite – Walkers Chocolates HQ)
Salary:
Up to £41,000 per annum (DOE)

Contract:

Full-Time | Permanent

Hours:

Mon - Thurs (7am to 7pm, 4 x 12 hour shifts)
Lead Quality Excellence in a Growing FMCG Manufacturing Environment!
Why Join Walkers Chocolates?

• Work for a respected heritage confectionery manufacturer

• Be part of a business committed to quality and continuous improvement

• Opportunity to lead and develop a QA team

• Supportive and collaborative site environment

• Career development opportunities within a growing FMCG business
Walkers Chocolates, a well-established and globally recognised confectionery manufacturer, is seeking a Quality Assurance Team Leader to join our Technical team at our Birmingham HQ!

The Role
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced QA professional ready to step into (or continue in) a leadership role within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
You will play a vital role in maintaining the highest standards of Food Safety, Legality, Quality and Product Authenticity, while supervising and developing a team of QA Operatives.
If you are passionate about quality culture, continuous improvement and driving standards across manufacturing and co-manufacturing operations, we would love to hear from you.
Reporting to the Quality Manager, you will be responsible for supervising the QA team and ensuring that products and processes meet internal, customer and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and support the QA team to ensure high standards are consistently achieved

• Ensure products are manufactured to agreed internal and external specifications

• Lead investigations into internal, supplier and customer non-conformances

• Conduct root cause analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA) and implement effective CAPA plans

• Monitor and verify CCPs (metal detectors, sieves, weight control, coding checks etc.)

• Perform risk assessments to determine product safety and compliance

• Monitor incoming raw materials and packaging against specifications

• Complete and review Quality Attribute Sheets (QAS)

• Conduct GMP audits, track trends and drive CAPA close-outs

• Support site preparation for internal, customer and third-party audits

• Ensure traceability exercises are completed accurately

• Maintain documentation and ensure records are audit-ready

• Promote and embed a strong Quality Culture across the site

• Collaborate with Production, Commercial and Supply Chain to align on quality expectations

• Support continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and improve efficiency
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive QA professional with strong leadership capability and a solid background in food manufacturing.
Essential Qualifications

• GCSE (or equivalent) minimum

• HACCP Level 3

• Food Safety Level 3
Essential Experience

• Previous experience within a food manufacturing environment

• Experience supervising or leading a team in a manufacturing setting

• Experience working in a highly process-driven environment

• Experience managing and working to product specifications
Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)

• Excellent attention to detail

• Strong organisational and planning capability

• Analytical thinker with effective problem-solving ability

• Ability to manage, coach and develop a team

• Strong understanding of food safety standards and operational quality processes

• Performance Focus
You will be accountable for:

• 100% completion of hourly process and CCP checks

• Effective management and resolution of food safety and quality issues

• Audit participation and successful compliance outcomes

• Maintaining full documentation accuracy and traceability

• Setting objectives and motivating the QA team to deliver performance standards
If you are ready to take ownership of quality standards and lead from the front in a dynamic manufacturing environment, apply today!
No agencies please