Quality Assurance Manager

Client is a long-standing multinational brand specializing in infant and child nutrition. They are deeply committed to creating nutritional brands and products that give babies and children the best start in life. With over 450 employees.In the role als Quality Assurance Manager, you take responsibility for:Safeguarding product quality and food safetyStrengthening quality culture, and ensuring factory remains audit‑ready at all timesYou lead a QA team (6 FTE) and collaborate closely with Production, Engineering, QC, Planning, and global QA partnersWhat will you do?Product Safety & ComplianceYou secure consumer trust and protect the license to operate. By enforcing HACCP/GMP and risk‑based decisions, you prevent defects, avoid compliance incidents, and keep the site audit‑ready, every dayActs as site guardian for food safety, regulatory compliance, and product integrity (HACCP, FSMA, GMP, QMS)Ensures all released materials and finished products meet internal and external standardsDrives a zero‑defect culture through strong controls and proactive risk managementSupports product disposition decisions and escalates high‑risk cases to the Head of QualityMaterial & Product Release, Deviations & ComplaintsYou keep safe product flowing to customers. Through decisive release ownership and rigorous RCA/CAPA, you cut repeat issues, shorten cycle times, and reduce complaint rates while maintaining full complianceOversees the timely release of all raw materials, intermediates, and finished products manufactured at the Gelderland site, ensuring that batch records, quality control results, and documentation meet specifications and regulatory requirements before approval for use or release to marketEnsures timely, effective deviation and complaint management with strong root‑cause analysis and CAPA follow‑upLeads complaint investigations and partners with commercial teams on preventive actions;
shares early‑batch improvements with stakeholderReviews and approves rework/redress protocols and ensures execution according to instructionsMakes risk‑based disposition decisions;
escalates complex caseswhen neededDefines and approves sampling and testing requirements;
represents QA in site‑and market‑aligned standardsMaintains full traceability and leads periodic traceability exercisesSupports crisis management and recall readiness through training and mock recallsQuality Assurance at “the Lines”You elevate line performance where it matters most, on the shopfloor. Visible QA leadership and robust in‑process controls boost first‑time‑right, reduce losses, and raise GMP discipline across shiftsLeads the QA team as the main contact for production, ensuring and maintaining a strong daily shopfloor presenceReinforces food‑safety and GMP standards, driving a strong quality culture during all interactionsPerforms GMP walkthroughs and supports audit readinessDevelops robust in‑process controls with Production, Engineering, and Technical ServicesEnsures manufacturing processes follow cGMP and SOPs;
identifies and closes gapsGuides the QA team on operational quality topics (environmental monitoring, pest control, deviations, GMP)Coaches the team in risk‑based decision‑making while balancing quality, service, and operational needs -never compromising on (food) safety aspectsLeading, Developing & Coaching the QA TeamYou turn capability into consistent results. With clear priorities, coaching, and ownership, the team makes faster, better decisions and delivers stable quality performanceProvides daily guidance, coaching, and performance support to 8 QA team membersBuilds a learning‑oriented environment that supports growth and continuous improvementEnsures team structure, competencies, and staffing align with current and future needsMaintains clear job descriptions and expectationsDelivers tailored technical and soft‑skill development plansSets annual goals, tracks performance, and creates clear prioritiesBuilds an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative team cultureYou convert data into lasting gains. By driving KPI‑led improvements and sharing learnings, you lower defect/complaint trends, harden processes, and build a First Time Right culture across the sitePromotes a strong “First Time Right” mindset across QA, Production, and MaintenanceShares learnings from deviations and complaints;
organizes cross‑functional learning sessionsPrepares accurate, timely quality reports for leadership and stakeholdersOther ResponsibilitiesYou create clarity and confidence for leadership. Transparent reporting and disciplined budget control focus investment where it moves the needle and de‑risk quality operations end‑to‑endDevelops and manages the QA operating and CAPEX budgetMonitors spending and ensures alignment with business and quality prioritiesReviews monthly expenditures and ensures financial control complianceContributes to broader site projects and initiatives as assigned by the Head of QualityProfiel
Master’s degree in Food Science, Technology, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering or similar5+ years in Quality Assurance within (Infant) Nutrition, Dairy or food and beverage manufacturing, including 2–3 years in QA leadershipExperience in internal and external auditsStrong skills in deviation investigation and root‑cause problem solvingExperience working closely with production and maintenance teamsLean Six Sigma Green Belt certification is an advantageAanbod
An inspiring and innovative work environment where you can develop your career and sharpen your skills in a dedicated and professional team.A fulltime contract with excellent working conditions and a competitive annual salary between €82.715 – € 111.000,-, depending on knowledge and experienceA 40-hour working week with 25 vacation daysA good pension plan, a bonus plan, collective health insurance and opportunities for professional development
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