QA Manager | Wednesbury

Who are we, and what do we do?

You may not have heard of us, but there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed our products. Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country’s major supermarkets and well-known restaurants.

We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door – meaning we have careers that cover a whole range of functions. We have major processing sites across England and Wales, and an agricultural network of over 350 farms, spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.

A little about our Wednesbury site:

Our advanced manufacturing site in Wednesbury, West Midlands, is our newest advanced manufacturing site, and we’ve invested around £4.7 million into state-of-the-art facilities.

Our Wednesbury site is a flagship Added Value centre for Avara, which employ over 150 talented individuals at the site, who help to supply some of the UK’s largest supermarkets and popular restaurants!

About the Role:

Are you passionate about product safety and quality? Looking for a new challenge? Do you have experience or qualifications in quality management?

As an inclusive, forward-thinking business, we take pride in our approach to investing in our approach to quality across Avara Foods and are looking for a highly competent and motivated QA Manager to join our Team, based at our Wednesbury site.

The role is predominantly office based, however some time in the factory will also be required. As a QA Manager you’ll be working on 4O4O shift pattern 05:30 – 18:00.   

What will you be doing as a QA Manager at Avara?

As a QA Manager you’ll manage the QA team to help ensure product quality, legality and safety whilst meeting customer specifications within a fast-paced short shelf-life environment.

What will your key responsibilities as a QA Manager include?

• Ensure QA’s are managed effectively and appropriately to include performance assessments and continuous development. Ensure that Quality Auditors are effectively recruited, inducted, trained.
• Collaborate with all functions required on daily basis production, engineers, HR, hygiene, etc
• Ensure procedures are detailed within the Quality Management System, HACCP, Food Defence are in place and actively adhered to in the factory.
• Ensure all tasks are completed by the Technical Team and any non-conformances are identified and actioned.
• Ensure all validation and verification are completed by the team.
• Liaise with production team to deliver products that meet customer specifications.
• Involved in and coordinating the investigation of customer complaints of a technical nature and ensure findings and action plans are completed and communicated both internally and externally.
• Provide support to the Technical NPD coordinator and production ensure that new or changed products, processes and packaging are effectively introduced.
• Manage external service providers (ie. Pest control and laboratory)
• Work closely with HR to ensure disciplinary, grievance and absence procedures are followed.
• Member of the HACCP and Food Defence team
• Support the implementation of a robust food safety culture on site and quality initiatives.
• Internal Auditing QMS
• Lead 3^rd party audits and customer visitsWhat you’ll need to be successful:
• Relevant scientific or food related qualifications. (Degree desirable)
• A practical working knowledge of BRC and retailer requirements.
• Experience working with major retailers including leading audits.
• HACCP and Food safety qualifications.
• Internal auditing training.
• Basic understanding of microbiology and potential consequences to food safety and quality.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders of all levels.

The benefits of working for Avara Foods:

As a QA Manager you will enjoy a secure, supportive and progressive working environment, where your contribution and achievements will be recognised and rewarded.

We offer comprehensive training as well as continuous development as you build your long-term career with us. You can also look forward to benefits that amongst other things include the following:

• From £32,000 per annum.
• Additional shift allowance
• 33 days holiday allowance
• 6% pension
• Life assurance/insurance
• Various lifestyle benefits, such as cashback perks, exclusive shopping discounts from well known retailers, and discounted cinema tickets!
• Wellbeing resources, including free online health advice & support, and wellbeing assessments.
• Free staff parking

What happens after you apply for this role?

After you’ve applied, you’ll be contacted in due course by a Resourcing, to discuss your application and CV further. There’ll also be a chance for you to ask us any questions you may have about the role.

If you’re ready to work in a dynamic environment alongside talented people who take pride in delivering great results, apply today!

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.