QA Team Leader

About the role

Puratos is seeking a QA Team Leader to oversee food safety, quality, legality and authenticity for its Buckingham site. Reporting to the Quality Manager, you will lead a small team of technicians and work closely with production to ensure compliance with all relevant standards.

Key responsibilities

• Provide first‑line leadership to QA Technicians, working side‑by‑side on the factory floor.
• Ensure on‑site compliance with HACCP, Organic, Halal, pest control and sanitation requirements.
• Lead internal audit programmes (GMP, hygiene, glass & plastic) and drive closure of non‑conformances.
• Perform routine QA checks such as packing, label verification, temperature monitoring and micro‑sampling.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, calibration records and consumable stock.
• Collaborate with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Commercial and Finance on food‑safety matters.
• Monitor product quality from intake to delivery, ensuring accurate data entry and reporting.
• Support preparation and execution of customer and third‑party audits.
• Assist the Quality Manager with complaint handling and CAPA processes using RCFA.

Required profile

• Proven experience in a food‑manufacturing quality environment.
• Leadership capability to manage and develop a small QA team.
• Strong understanding of UK and group food‑safety regulations.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple functions.

Required skills

• HACCP
• GMP
• Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)
• Food Safety
• Quality Assurance
• Laboratory Calibration
• Audit Management
• Micro Sampling

What we offer

• Competitive salary £40,000‑£45,000 per year.
• Full‑time role, Monday‑Friday core hours 08:30‑17:00.
• Opportunity to work for a global leader in bakery, pâtisserie and chocolate ingredients.