Food Safety and Quality Management Systems Lead

Job Title: Food Safety and Quality Management Systems Lead

Business Function: Quality

Location: Gloucester Factory

JOB PURPOSE

Overview: Walls Ice Cream Factory is seeking a dedicated and experienced Quality Management Systems and Food Safety Manager to manage and enhance our quality control systems and ensure the safety and quality of our ice cream products. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food safety, quality management, and regulatory compliance.

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: Quality Specialist, Project & CI, Quality Culture, Quality Coordinator

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

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and Implement Quality Assurance Policies: Create and enforce policies and procedures to ensure product quality and safety.

Conduct Testing and Inspections: Plan, conduct, and monitor testing and inspection of ice cream products to ensure they meet quality standards.

Document Quality Assurance Activities: Maintain records of internal audits, coordinate Internal audit program for the QMS, and other quality assurance activities.

Investigate Non-Conformance Issues: Address customer complaints and non-conformance issues and develop corrective and preventive actions.

Analyse Quality Data: Collect and analyse statistical quality data to identify areas for improvement.

Deliver Training Programs: Develop and deliver ongoing training programs to educate staff about relevant aspects of the QMS. Identify training needs and organize training sessions to ensure staff are knowledgeable about quality standards and procedures.

Compliance and Audits: Ensure ongoing compliance with industry regulations and standards, and coordinate on-site audits conducted by external providers.

Risk Management: Manage risk assessments within the department and implement appropriate corrective actions.

Manage Documented QMS System: In detail manage the document management systems related to quality and food safety.

Lead External Audits: Lead external audits and visits by Regulatory Authorities.

Continuous Improvement: Look for ways to reduce waste and increase efficiency in the organization.

Report to SU Quality Manager: Provide regular updates and reports to the SU Quality Manager.

HACCP Team Membership: Participate in the Food Safety Team responsible for setting up HACCP teams to develop, implement, and update HACCP plans.

Define Controls and Inspections: Establish controls, inspections, sampling plans, and traceability requirements to manage risks from food allergens, microbiological, physical, and chemical contamination.

Reduce Quality Defects: Apply UMS/Quality Matrix tools to reduce quality defects and losses.

Review Operational KPIs: Analyse operational KPIs, loss trees, and data to identify trends, create reports, and maintain performance within the required range. Investigate Non-Conformances: Investigate internal quality non-conformances and support the implementation of corrective actions.

Manage Quality Incidents: Support the management of quality incidents and the implementation of corrective actions.

Support New Product Implementation: Assess process capability and define standards to support the implementation of new products.

Expert Point of Contact: Serve as an expert point of contact for Manufacturing on quality and food safety matters.

Deputize for SU QA Manager: Act as a deputy for the SU QA Manager and other Managers within the team.

Represent Site on Working Groups: Represent the site on European/Global working groups concerning food safety and other matters.

SCOPE OF ROLE     

This role will be local but with responsibility on occasions to represent the SU at European/Global forums or other external meetings. 

PROBLEM SOLVING

Bringing technical expertise and aptitude for applying UMS/SPC techniques to understand quality issues and to implement improvements.

CHANGE

Implementing changes to deliver compliance to standards or to drive improved quality performance.

LATERAL TEAMWORK

        Internal to SU: Leadership Team (LT), Other QA Leads, Manufacturing Managers, Assistant Manufacturing Managers, Manufacturing Team Managers, Sourcing Unit Implementation Manager, Project Engineers and Technicians, Occupational Health and Human Resources Teams.

       External to SU: Head of Quality Operations, GB/LU BU Q Leader, Director, RVS Leaders, Peers at other SUs

ALL ABOUT YOU

• 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).

• Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry or Engineering degree

• FMCG Manufacturing experience- 3-5 years of experience in food safety and quality management, preferably in the dairy or ice cream industry.

• Comprehensive knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and other food safety regulations

(Food Safety Level 4, HACCP Level 4).

• Working knowledge of FSSC or BRC

• Strong project management and multi-tasking skills.

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Ability to interpret and communicate technical information effectively.

Personal Profile:

• Educational Background: Educated to degree level with a strong technical background and understanding of food safety management requirements.

• Relevant Experience: Extensive experience in Quality Assurance, Laboratory, and food safety management.

• Leadership: A dynamic individual and real leader, prepared to take responsibility for departmental and site issues, leading to resolutions.

• Energy: Demonstrates the ability to create and maintain a high level of appropriately directed activity, with the capacity to work hard, drive, and stamina.

• Commitment: Believes in the value of their role to the organization and makes extra effort for the company.

• Communication Skills: Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Decisiveness: Does not jump to conclusions; seeks a variety of solutions, analyzes for best fit, and is able and willing to make decisions.

• Delegation: Effectively uses subordinates and other resources available, knowing when, how, and to whom to delegate.

• Initiative: Actively influences events rather than passively accepting them, seizes opportunities when they arise, and originates action.

• Leadership: Motivates and manages people to achieve group objectives, constructively critiques performance, and seeks improvement.

• Problem Solving: A logical problem solver with the ability to coach others.

• Continuous Improvement: Maintains a continuous improvement mindset.

• Long-Term Planning: Looks beyond the issues of the day to spot trends and turn them into long-term plans.

• Computer Literacy: Possesses a good level of computer literacy.

• Accountability: Confident in holding team members accountable for delivery.

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’.

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. 

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We want to push boundaries, and have the flexibility needed to keep adapting in an ever-changing, more dynamic world. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

As part of your hiring journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments, to improve your recruitment experience.

To find out more, including more information about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here.

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