Food Safety Lead

Job Title: Food Safety Lead

Location: Gloucester Factory

JOB PURPOSE

The role holder is responsible for the implementation of an externally certified Quality and Food Safety Management System (QMS) and for driving continuous quality improvement activity. This is a key management position within the QA Team bringing technical knowledge, tenacity, and a professional approach to ensure that quality standards are maintained, problems solved, and improvements implemented. A day-based role but with the flexibility and drive to support the factory as and when business needs require.

Team Lead for: Project & CI, QA & Analysis, Quality Culture, Quality Admin

KPIs: Food Safety Management Systems, Projects and Continues Improvement, Quality Culture, Quality Assurance and Analysis, CCPMU, D-Incidents

RESPONSIBILITIES

The main responsibilities are as follows:

• Report to SU Quality Manager
• Managing Operations & Systems Team (Project & CI, QA & Analysis, Quality Culture, Quality Admin)
• A member of the Food Safety Team responsible for setting up HACCP teams to develop, implement and update HACCP plans.
• Defining controls, inspections, sampling plans and traceability requirements to manage risks from food allergen, microbiological, physical and chemical contamination.
• Management of the documented QMS system including systems for capture of quality records.
• Reducing quality defects and losses through application of the tools of World Class Manufacturing (WCM).
• Co-ordination of an internal audit programme for the QMS.
•  Leading external audits and visits by Regulatory Authorities.
•  Reviewing and analysing operational KPIs, loss trees and data to identify trends, create reports and to maintain performance in required range.
• Investigating internal quality non-conformances and supporting implementation of corrective actions.

• Supporting the management of quality incidents and the implementation of corrective actions.
• Supporting quality in the implementation of new products by assessing process capability and defining standards.
• Delivering an on-going training programme to educate staff about relevant aspects of the QMS.
• Providing an expert point of contact for Manufacturing on quality and food safety matters.
• Deputising for the SU QA Manager and other Managers within the team.
• Representing the site on European/Global working groups concerning food safety and other matters.

Other Requirements:

• Competence in standard Microsoft applications.
• Competence in SAP applications would be an advantage.
• Driving licence holder would be an advantage.
• Some weekend / out of hours working.
• Occasional travel (UK and Europe).

ALL ABOUT YOU 

Educated to degree level the job holder will have a strong technical background and understanding of food safety management requirements.  Preferably university degree in technical discipline or general sciences. Working knowledge of FSSC or BRC.

Experience Required:

Essential

PERSONAL PROFILE

• Educated to degree level the job holder will have a strong technical background and understanding of food safety management requirements.
• Relevant experience in Quality Assurance/Laboratory and food safety management.
• A real leader and a dynamic individual who is prepared to take responsibility for departmental and site issues leading to resolutions.
• Energy – The ability to create and maintain a high level of appropriately directed activity, capacity to work hard, drive and stamina.
• Commitment-Belief in own job and its value to the organisation, makes extra effort for the Company.
• Good communication skills – verbal and written.
• Decisiveness –does not jump to conclusions and seeks a variety of solutions, analyses for best fit. Able and willing to make decisions.
• Delegation - Effective use of subordinates and other resources available. Knowledge of when, how and to whom to delegate.
• Initiative – Actively influencing events rather than passively accepting. Seizes opportunities when they arise and act on them. Originates action.
• Leadership – the ability to motivate and manage people to achieve group objectives. Constructively critiques performance and seeks improvement.
• Logical problem solver
• Ability to coach others.
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to look longer term beyond the issues of the day, to spot trends and turn them into making long-term plans
• Excellent communication skills
• Good le