Senior Quality Assurance Lead | Food Manufacturing | Sydney

We are currently seeking an experienced Senior Quality Assurance professional to join a well-established food manufacturing company in Sydney.

Reporting to the National Technical Manager, this is a key leadership position with full responsibility for overseeing the site’s food safety and quality systems.

You will lead the QA team and play a critical role in ensuring compliance with regulatory, customer, and retailer standards, while driving continuous improvement across the operation.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys being present on the factory floor, confidently leading audits, managing people, and maintaining robust food safety and quality systems within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the site QA team, providing guidance, coaching, and performance oversight
• Managing day-to-day QA activities, ensuring systems remain compliant and audit-ready
• Coordinating and leading internal audits, GMP inspections, and verification programs
• Acting as the main site contact for external audits including SQF, Coles CFMSR, and regulatory inspections
• Ensuring ongoing compliance with HACCP, GFSI standards, customer requirements, and FSANZ regulations
• Investigating non-conformances, managing CAPA processes, and driving corrective actions
• Handling customer complaints, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing preventative measures
• Working closely with production and operations teams to strengthen food safety culture
• Supporting new product trials, validations, and launches
• Delivering food safety and quality training to site teams
• Maintaining accurate documentation, traceability, and reporting to senior technical leadership

To be successful, you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or similar
• CFMSR knowledge and experience leading an external audit
• 3–5+ years’ QA experience within food manufacturing, ideally in chilled or ready-to-eat environments
• Demonstrated experience supervising or leading QA teams
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and food safety management systems
• Experience working with SQF, BRC, or other GFSI-recognised standards
• Exposure to retailer standards, particularly Coles CFMSR
• Proven ability to lead internal and external audits from preparation through to close-out
• Strong problem-solving, investigation, and CAPA management skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders across the business
• Full Australian working rights

This is an excellent opportunity to join a reputable food manufacturer and play a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing site quality and food safety performance.

Please apply today or send your resume to Natasha Donaghy - natasha@osbornerichardson.com.au