About the Client
Our client is a market leader in food manufacturing, supplying a broad customer base across Australia from major retail and food service accounts through to specialty and export markets.
Built on a reputation for consistent product quality, rigorous food safety standards, and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement, they are widely respected across the industry.
This is an organisation that invests in its people.
Structured career pathways, strong succession planning, and a culture that rewards initiative make this an employer of choice in the sector.
The Role
* A hands‐on leadership role reporting to Senior leadership, with full accountability for the site's quality function.
* You will lead a team responsible for food safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation.
* Lead and develop the quality team, setting clear expectations, coaching performance, and building capability across the function.
* Own and maintain the site's HACCP plans, food safety programs, and quality management systems in line with FSANZ and relevant standards (e.g. SQF, BRC).
* Drive a culture of quality and food safety across all site functions — production, logistics, and warehouse, through engagement, training, and clear accountability.
* Oversee internal audits, supplier audits, and third‐party certification audits, ensuring ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
* Manage non‐conformances, customer complaints, and corrective actions through to resolution, with robust root cause analysis and preventative action.
* Monitor quality KPIs, analyse data trends, and implement process improvements to reduce waste, defects, and rework.
* Partner with production, NPD, and procurement teams to embed quality at every stage: from raw material intake through to finished goods release.
* Liaise with customers and regulatory bodies on quality matters, representing the business with professionalism and technical credibility.
Your Background
* You're an experienced quality professional with a strong technical foundation and the leadership presence to drive real change across a manufacturing site.
* Proven experience in a quality management role within food manufacturing or FMCG: ideally at site or function leadership level.
* Deep working knowledge of HACCP, food safety legislation, and GFSI‐recognised certification schemes (SQF, BRC, or equivalent).
* Tertiary qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline (or equivalent industry experience).
* Demonstrated people leadership skills: you know how to build engaged teams and hold people accountable in a constructive way.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills: comfortable engaging with production teams, senior leadership, customers, and auditors alike.
* Continuous improvement mindset: you look for better ways and bring the team along with you.
* Composed under pressure, with the ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions in a rapid‐paced environment.
What's on Offer
This is a rare opportunity to join a genuine market leader at a moment of internal momentum. With a strong track record of promoting from within and a clear commitment to developing its leaders, this organisation offers a platform for meaningful career advancement. You'll be stepping into a business that is well‐established and highly regarded in its field with the support of an experienced senior leadership team and a culture that recognises and rewards performance. For the right leader, this role is a genuine stepping stone to broader opportunities within a growing business.
#J-18808-Ljbffr