QA Specialist - Compliance & Audits

We are looking for a proactive and driven QA Specialist with a strong focus on compliance, auditing, and continuous improvement to strengthen our Quality Assurance team. In this role, you will be instrumental in safeguarding product quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance across our dog and cat food manufacturing operations. You will take ownership of quality-related processes, challenge existing practices where necessary, and ensure that our systems and procedures meet the highest standards. With a sharp eye for detail and a hands-on approach, you will work closely with colleagues across Production, R&D, and Supply Chain to identify risks, drive improvements, and embed a strong quality culture throughout the organization. If you thrive in a dynamic production environment, enjoy solving complex quality challenges, and are passionate about turning compliance requirements into practical, effective solutions, this could be the perfect next step in your career.

• Ensure compliance with applicable food safety standards, including HACCP, GMP, ISO, and FSSC requirements, as well as relevant EU legislation governing pet food production.
• Monitor regulatory developments and industry best practices, translating new requirements into effective procedures and working practices.
• Safeguard the integrity of our quality management system and proactively identify potential compliance risks.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct internal audits, while preparing for and supporting external, customer, and certification audits.
• Challenge existing processes, identify gaps, and drive the implementation of sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop, review, and continuously improve quality procedures, policies, work instructions, and documentation.
• Ensure audit findings are followed up effectively and translated into measurable improvements.
• Monitor production processes and verify compliance with established quality, hygiene, and food safety requirements.
• Lead investigations into non-conformities, process deviations, and customer complaints, using structured root cause analysis to prevent recurrence.
• Define, implement, and monitor corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), ensuring their effectiveness.
• Contribute to risk assessments, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing operation.
• Work closely with Production, R&D, and Supply Chain to resolve quality issues and improve product consistency, process efficiency, and food safety.
• Maintain robust traceability systems and ensure complete, accurate, and audit-ready records.
• Coach and train employees on quality standards, hygiene practices, compliance requirements, and their responsibilities within the quality management system.
• Act as a quality ambassador on the production floor, promoting accountability, ownership, and a proactive approach to quality.