Food Quality Manager

About the Company

Join a quality-driven organization dedicated to producing safe, reliable, and premium food items that satisfy customer needs and comply with all regulatory standards. Our collaborative teams span Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Production, Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Operations, and Executive Leadership, ensuring stringent quality controls during the entire product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute food quality strategies, establish quality management systems and standards, and lead continuous improvement efforts consistent with company goals.
• Oversee food safety and quality assurance throughout production stages including processing, packaging, storage, transportation, and distribution.
• Implement and sustain HACCP-based food safety programs, quality control protocols, inspection procedures, and corrective action mechanisms.
• Work cross-functionally with departments like Production, Food Safety, Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, and others to maintain cohesive quality standards.
• Manage inspections for incoming raw materials, in-process controls, final product testing, packaging inspection, lab analysis, product release, and non-conformance handling.
• Lead supplier quality management including audits, specifications, approved supplier lists, performance reviews, and corrective measures.
• Define product specifications, sampling strategies, testing requisites, acceptance criteria, traceability processes, and documentation protocols.
• Conduct root-cause analyses and oversee corrective and preventive actions related to customer complaints, product defects, safety incidents, and quality deviations.
• Coordinate recalls, withdrawals, traceability exercises, mock recalls, crisis responses, and manage food safety incidents as necessary.
• Ensure adherence to UAE food safety laws, municipality mandates, labeling regulations, import rules, HACCP guidelines, Codex Alimentarius, and international frameworks.
• Monitor KPIs such as defect rates, customer complaints, audit outcomes, supplier evaluations, CAPA completion, test results, safety events, product release efficiency, traceability accuracy, and quality costs.
• Perform internal and supplier audits, food safety assessments, hygiene checks, process audits, lab reviews, regulatory inspections, and lead continuous quality improvement projects.
• Oversee budgeting for quality functions, lab services, equipment, certifications, external consultants, auditors, and invest in food safety technologies.
• Champion digital transformation efforts using AI-enhanced inspections, predictive analytics, automated traceability, computer vision, lab data analysis, anomaly detection, and intelligent quality management platforms.
• Utilize software such as SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Cloud, Microsoft 365, Power BI, Tableau, MasterControl, ETQ Reliance, SafetyChain, LIMS, EQMS, and food safety management systems to optimize quality performance.
• Prepare detailed leadership reports including executive dashboards, quality metrics, safety assessments, supplier reviews, audit summaries, CAPA documentation, and strategic recommendations.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary quality teams fostering a culture centered on safety, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, Nutrition, Food Engineering, or related fields.
• Master’s degree in relevant disciplines (Food Science, Food Safety, Quality Management) is highly preferred.
• Certifications such as HACCP, ISO 22000 Lead Auditor, FSSC 22000, BRCGS, CQA, Six Sigma, or equivalents are advantageous.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in food quality, food safety, or related food manufacturing roles.
• At least 2 years managing teams or projects within food quality assurance, food safety, labs, or supplier quality.
• Deep understanding of HACCP, food microbiology and chemistry, quality control, management systems, traceability, allergen control, product specifications, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Cloud, Microsoft Office, Power BI, Tableau, MasterControl, ETQ Reliance, SafetyChain, LIMS, EQMS, and related food safety technologies.
• Familiarity with AI-driven visual inspection, predictive safety analytics, automated traceability, smart sensors, and digital lab automation highly desirable.
• Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management, analytical reasoning, audit handling, root-cause investigation, project coordination, organization, and problem-solving abilities.
• Capability to juggle multiple quality initiatives balancing food safety, compliance, production needs, supplier and customer expectations, budgeting, and timelines efficiently.
• Ability to work remotely with global quality and supply chain teams and willingness for occasional travel to audits, regulatory visits, and strategic meetings.

What the Position Offers

• Fully remote role allowing flexible collaboration across international food quality, safety, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
• Competitive remuneration with performance-based bonuses.
• Complete health and wellness benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development in the food quality arena.
• Experience with cutting-edge AI quality inspection tools, predictive analytics, digital traceability, advanced lab systems, and next-gen management platforms.
• A collaborative work culture emphasizing food safety, quality excellence, regulatory adherence, innovation, and ongoing improvement.
• A chance to lead impactful programs that build consumer confidence through safe, consistent, compliant, and superior food products.