Proudly South Australian owned and operated for over 100 years, Golden North is a premium ice cream manufacturer expanding into a new, state‑of‑the‑art facility in Murray Bridge. We are committed to quality, safety, and operational excellence.
The Mission: Quality Is The Foundation
Quality isn't just a department—it's the absolute foundation of our dairy business. This role ensures every single tub and block is safe, legal, and premium quality. You are the non‑negotiable leader who protects our customers, our brand, and our license to operate.
What You'll Own (Strategic Wins)
We've grouped the job into four core areas:
1. Brand Protection & Compliance Ownership
* Own the QMS: Design, run, and constantly upgrade the entire Quality Management System (QMS).
* Audit Ace: Lead all external audits (SQF, HACCP, customer teams) to ensure top marks every time.
* Keep It Legal: Ensure all Critical Control Points (CCPs) for both frozen (ice cream) and cultured (cheese) processes are monitored and always compliant.
* Recall Readiness: Manage and execute the 6‑monthly mock product recall and mass balance exercises.
2. Technical Leadership & Lab Oversight
* Science Management: Oversee the in‑house lab, managing equipment calibration and ensuring all technical testing (micro, fat, pH) is accurate and timely.
* The Green Light: Own the final Product Release decision—nothing leaves the dock without your team's stamp of approval.
* Supplier Assurance: Lock down our supply chain by running the Supplier Assurance program to vet all dairy and non‑dairy ingredients.
3. Problem Solving & Immediate Action
* Run sharp internal audits and use proactive data to spot weaknesses before they become a recall.
* IMMEDIATE REPORTING: Instantly report critical non‑compliance results (e.g., CCP failures) directly to the Operations Manager to trigger rapid containment.
* Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to stop problems from repeating.
4. Team & Culture Coaching
* Recruit, mentor, and manage the QA/QC team (Lab Staff, Compliance Officers) into a quality powerhouse.
* Deliver practical, engaging training sessions (GMPs) to the entire factory floor to make food safety a daily habit.
Who We Need (The Essentials)
5+ years in a dedicated QA/QC leadership role.
You need to hit the ground running; this isn't a beginner's job.
Specific experience in high‑risk dairy, frozen food, or cultured products.
Relevant degree (Food Science, Dairy Technology, Microbiology, etc.).
Provides the technical backbone to interpret results and challenge processes.
Proven expertise managing certified food safety standards (SQF/HACCP).
We rely on you to keep our major Australian certifications current.
How Success Looks (Your KPIs in Year One)
* Audit Excellence: Zero critical non‑conformances during external audits—we pass with flying colours.
* Recall Prevention: Zero product recalls or major withdrawals during your tenure.
* Compliance: We maintain a 100% compliance rate for all Critical Control Point (CCP) monitoring.
Ready to Apply?
If you are a proven QA leader ready to own the quality system for a high‑growth Australian brand, please click 'Apply Now' to submit your CV and cover letter.
For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Glenn O'Bryan at 0407 115 *** or email ******@goldennorth.com.au
We thank all applicants, but only those shortlisted will be contacted.
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