Quality Manager

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead site quality systems and laboratory operations at our Edith Creek dairy facility. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for ensuring our Quality and Food Safety System meets all statutory, regulatory, customer, and certification requirements, while supporting the site leadership team with clear advice, reporting and continuous improvement.
You will lead the site Quality and Laboratory teams, champion HACCP/GMP, manage audits and documentation control, and drive a strong quality culture across production and support teams.
Key Responsibilities Quality & Food Safety Systems

• Manage and maintain the site Quality and Food Safety System (HACCP, GMP, prerequisite programs) to meet regulatory and customer requirements.
• Maintain required licenses and accreditations (including domestic and export requirements).
• Ensure contract manufactured product specifications and customer standards are met.

HACCP Leadership

• Lead the HACCP team as the site HACCP Champion.
• Ensure HACCP plans are current, compliant, and implemented effectively across the site.

Audits, Compliance & Corrective Actions

• Plan and host external audits and manage internal audit programs.
• Raise, investigate and close out non-conformances and corrective actions, reporting progress to the Site Management Team.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with relevant food standards and requirements.

Laboratory Operations

• Oversee finished product testing, product clearance, and laboratory workflows to support factory operations.
• Recruit, train, lead and develop laboratory staff.
• Manage laboratory budgeting, expenditure and cost control.

Customer Complaints & Product Downgrades

• Maintain and manage systems for customer complaints and product downgrades.
• Investigate issues, implement corrective actions, communicate with stakeholders, and report trends to management.

Document Control

• Own and control SOPs, work instructions and forms (version control, issue, distribution).
• Ensure hard copy/manuals and controlled documents are current and maintained.

Training & Capability

• Identify training needs linked to food safety and quality requirements.
• Use audit findings to identify skill gaps and drive targeted training actions.

Site Programs & Operational Support

• Oversee site pest control program and ensure effectiveness and compliance.
• Ensure factory scales are fit-for-purpose and calibrated to requirements (including Weights & Measures compliance).
• Support product development projects and maintain product specifications, hazard analysis inputs and labelling review participation.
• Coordinate contractors where required, ensuring compliance with site OHS, Quality and Environmental requirements.

Safety Leadership

• Promote a “Zero Harm” culture and ensure activities are undertaken within OHS frameworks.
• Ensure unsafe work is not permitted and quality/environmental risks are controlled.

Authority / Decision Making The Quality Manager is empowered to:

• Stop production where product quality or food safety is at risk.
• Determine disposition of non-conforming raw materials and finished product.
• Clear finished product, raise corrective actions, issue audit reports, and manage controlled documentation.
• Lead internal audits and provide technical input into operational and business decisions.

Reporting & Team Structure

• Reports to the Factory Manager.
• Works closely with the Production Manager and Site Management Team.
• Direct reports include Laboratory Supervisor and Laboratory Technicians.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications (Key Selection Criteria) Essential

• Proven experience in dairy or food manufacturing (knowledge of UHT processes strongly preferred).
• Strong capability in HACCP, GMP, PRPs, internal auditing, and document control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and build a site-wide quality culture.
• High-level written communication skills (audit responses, reports, technical documentation).
• Strong planning, problem solving, attention to detail, and continuous improvement mindset.
• Knowledge of relevant standards and requirements (Food Standards Code, licensing requirements, customer standards such as BRC/WQA/major customer requirements).

Desirable

• Qualification in Dairy Technology or a related field.

Personal Attributes

• Leads by example and models professional standards.
• Proactive, practical, and solutions-focused.
• Confident communicator who builds trust across production, leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Strong ethics, accountability, and respect for people, product and process.