Quality Control Manager

Quality Control Manager

Stanford-le-Hope, Essex

Full Time (40 hours, Monday-Friday)

65k + Bonus

Join a leading fresh produce business and make quality your legacy.

We are looking for an experienced Quality Control Manager to lead our QC function at our site in Stanford-le-Hope. If you're passionate about fresh produce, thrive in fast-paced environments, and enjoy leading teams to deliver exceptional quality standards, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact.

Working closely with our Technical Manager and Operations Director, you'll take ownership of quality processes across intake, inspection, compliance and supplier management - ensuring our customers and retail partners receive the very best product every time.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Supplier & Grower Management

• Maintaining the Approved Supplier and Grower Lists
• Ensuring compliance with company and customer requirements
• Managing updates, reviews and communication with internal teams

Product Quality & Intake

• Overseeing intake inspections for grapes, citrus, apples and kiwi
• Managing product rejections, returns and root cause investigations
• Ensuring concessionary product is handled correctly
• Supporting contingency purchases and product liability processes

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Managing shelf-life testing and reporting
• Overseeing positive release procedures and grower checks
• Conducting stock reviews and cold store inspections
• Ensuring compliance with weights & measures regulations
• Supporting food safety, contamination controls and regulatory inspections

Team Leadership

• Leading, motivating and developing the QC team
• Managing recruitment, training and performance reviews
• Ensuring all staff follow required quality procedures and standards
• Maintaining accurate training and compliance records

Health, Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Ensuring compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act
• Supporting audits and regulatory inspections
• Driving continuous improvement across QC processes and systems
• Contributing to operational meetings and cross-department communication

We're looking for someone who combines technical expertise with strong leadership skills.

Essential

• HACCP trained
• Experience in a senior QC or technical role within fresh produce
• Strong understanding of quality systems and food safety
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Confident using Microsoft Excel, Word and internal systems
• Ability to prioritise and adapt in a fast-moving environment

Desirable

• Experience working with citrus and grape categories
• Previous leadership or management training

Why Join?

• Work within a growing fresh produce business supplying leading retailers
• Lead an important function with real influence on product quality
• Opportunity to develop your leadership and technical career
• Collaborative, fast-paced industry environment

Apply now to play a key role in delivering quality from field to shelf.