Food Safety and Quality Manager (Primary) at Kepak

Kepak is one of Europe’s leading food companies, with manufacturing sites across Ireland and the UK. Kepak’s vision is to be a successful, sustainable, future-ready Food Business with differentiation at its core that is a great place to work. This vision is underpinned by our values of Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and teamwork.

Kepak Meat Division UK operates across 3 manufacturing sites with 2,000 employees, producing a range of quality meat and protein-based food products for retail and foodservice customers. The division focuses on providing exceptional service and value to our stakeholders

ROLE STRUCTURE:

·         Reports to: Head of Food Safety and Quality (Primary)

·         Direct Reports: 2 to 3

ROLE PURPOSE:

·         Leads the site Food Safety and Quality team in managing all food safety and quality processes, ensuring all products meet regulatory, customer, and internal standards with a focus on food safety excellence.

·         Responsible for food safety compliance at the site, working alongside the operational and wider teams to promote a culture of compliance across all departments, protect brand reputation while delivering consistent product quality

As a senior manager, the Food Safety and Quality Manager is responsible for the health, safety and wellbeing of their team and is expected to lead by example in promoting a culture of positive and inclusive employee engagement.

Permanent Full Time Contract Working Monday To Friday

Requirements

ROLE CORE VALUES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

• Ensure full compliance with health and safety policies and procedures.
• Promote a culture of safety-first across the Food Safety and Quality team and wider site teams
• Oversee adherence to H&S metrics and collaborate with H&S manager to evolve standards in line with Food safety standards

Food Safety and Quality Management

• Lead the Food Safety and Quality team in developing and managing robust food safety and quality systems at the site
• Lead the implementation of site food safety and compliance programs to align with HACCP, TACCP, VACCP, BRCGS, and customer standards.
• Support the evaluation and implementation of new equipment to align with food safety, quality, and operational goals.
• Lead commissioning processes to ensure seamless integration into production and drive measurable performance improvements.

Food Safety and Quality Compliance

• Keep up to date with customer, regulatory, and third-party standards, ensuring full compliance and readiness for audits at all times
• Establish and maintain regular management meetings with the site management team, setting clear performance expectations and monitoring progress towards key objectives.
• Ensure that all products consistently meet customer specifications, addressing any gaps proactively.
• Provide strategic direction for the development and implementation of technical and operational SOPs, embedding food safety compliance throughout operational and quality control frameworks.

Animal Welfare and Legal Compliance

• Oversee and ensure compliance with animal welfare standards and ethical sourcing policies.
• Oversee internal and external Animal Welfare audits and liaise with internal bodies on welfare matters.

Budget Management

• Accountable for managing the site's Food Safety and Quality resource plan and budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources to support the delivery of food safety and quality standard
• Prepares and approves site FS&Q budget with the site manager and site financial controller, and monitors all FS&Q expenses in line with budget
• Liaises with Head of Food Safety and Compliance to understand cost implications of customer and regulatory changes and incorporates into site budget and resource plans

Ambition

Food Safety Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement in quality systems and site food safety standards.
• Monitor site food safety performance and share insights and trends to identify areas for improvement.
• Keep informed of industry best practices and regulatory changes and communicate to site teams.
• Keep up to date on digital technology to enhance and streamline food safety processes

Business Continuity and Risk Management

Proactively identify and mitigate food safety risks across the site, escalating serious issues in a timely manner

In conjunction with the site management team, develop and implement robust business continuity plans across sites

In conjunction with the IT team, develop and implement appropriate and adequate cyber security risk management plans

Audits & Inspections

• Ensure the site is always audit-ready from a food safety and quality perspective in terms of documentation and record management, and compliance with the Kepak audit standard
• Lead preparation and response for customer, third-party, and regulatory audits
• Lead the Food Safety and Quality team on-site during internal and third-party audits
• Oversee the investigation and successful resolution of all non-conformances and seek to proactively develop solutions

Food Safety Training Compliance

Ensure all team members are trained and competent in food safety and quality procedures.

In conjunction with the HR team, monitor food safety training compliance across the site

Teamwork

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Build and maintain positive and professional relationships with site teams, including operations, engineering, NPD, procurement, purchasing and commercial teams, to educate and embed food safety and quality compliance into all processes.
• Collaborate with wider business and support functions as required to deliver on overall food safety and site objectives

External Stakeholder Management

• Lead engagement at the site on food safety and quality matters with key external stakeholders, including auditors, customers and regulatory bodies and maintain the highest level of professionalism

People & Culture

• Embodies the company values by promoting an inclusive, respectful and high-performing culture focused on employee health, safety and wellbeing
• Lead and mentor the Food Safety team through the Enhancing Performance process, setting meaningful development goals to support high-performing teams, including career progression.
• Partner with the HR and L&D teams to develop and deliver a people plan that is aligned with and complements the group's people strategy.

ROLE DELIVERABLES:

·         Food safety and quality compliance  

·         Animal Welfare and legal compliance 

·         Health and safety compliance  

·         Validation and risk compliance  

·         Continuous improvement deliverables 

·         People metrics (training & development, engagement, retention)  

CRITICAL INTERFACES:

Internal Stakeholders:
Food Safety & Quality Team (site and divisional), FSQ Project Manager, Site Management, Operations, Engineering, Livestock Procurement, NPD, Commercial, HR, L&D, Finance, IT

External Stakeholders:
Regulatory Authorities (e.g., FSA, FSS), Retailer Technical Teams & Auditors, Third-Party Certification Bodies (e.g., BRCGS), Suppliers

ROLE QUALIFICATION & SKILLS:

·         Qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline

·         Level 4 HACCP certification (required)

·         Auditing experience required

·         Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, GMP, TACCP, VACCP, and UK/EU food safety regulations

·         Experience in managing audits and liaising with external stakeholders

·         Proven track record in food safety compliance and quality systems management

·         Knowledge of animal welfare standards

·         Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills

ROLE LEVEL:

Operating at Lead Others level, this role requires a strong role model for Kepak values of Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and Teamwork.

Benefits

• 31 days annual leave (after probation)
• Employee Discount platform
• FREE access to Employee Assistance Program (Includes Free legal advice,counselling and mental health advice and a 24 hour help and advice line)
• Pension plan
• Death in Service benefit for all employees in the pension scheme
• Christmas hamper
• Earn up to £500 with our refer a friend scheme
• On-site parking
• Cycle to work scheme
• Subsidised Canteen
• Free Lunch Once a Month
• Free hot drinks all day
• Employee engagement activities
• Long Service Awards
• Ongoing Training and Development in the role