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 teamsProduct 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 processesQuality 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 inspectionsTeam 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 recordsHealth, 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 communicationWe'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 environmentDesirable

Experience working with citrus and grape categories
Previous leadership or management trainingWhy 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 environmentApply now to play a key role in delivering quality from field to shelf