Traceability and Compliance Manager - Food Industry

Our client owns and operates one of the most respected quality marks in the food industry, and consumers are assured when they buy product bearing this mark, that the food has been fairly and ethically produced and managed at every point along the supply chain. They can also be absolutely assured of its source and quality.

This role is a brand new position, and an opportunity to write the rule book!

We are seeking somebody who can work very much on their own initiative, and design from scratch the quality and traceability specifications to be applied from top to bottom of the supply chain. This will involve you working closely with farmers as well as food processors and manufacturers. Not only will you be advising them how to comply with the sourcing and ethical issues to be allowed to use the mark on their products, you will also be responsible for their ongoing compliance by way of regular field and factory visits. You will hold authority over who is allowed to display the mark on their product, and who is not. This involves both advising new suppliers, but also policing those members who do not adhere to your very strict quality and traceability standards.

Although the majority of suppliers will endeavour to comply closely to the standards you set, you will also need to be alert to the possibility that certain suppliers need regular monitoring and supervision to ensure their full compliance. This will involve regular quality checks, and forging strong bonds of trust with all appointed suppliers. You will undoubtedly need to lay down the law from time to time, and in the event a supplier becomes a serial offender you may need to take steps to remove them from the supply chain. The role carries with it significant authority, and you should not be afraid to use that authority if so required, even if it means removing a supplier. Although you will endeavour to foster excellent relationships with all suppliers at all times, will be no shrinking violet, and nobody’s fool.

Working closely with the commercial team, you will need to be as detailed as you are tenacious. You should be from within the food industry presently, and have a good working knowledge of the relationship between different parts of the supply chain. Experience of traceability and / or Ethical issues would be big bonuses, as would general experience of quality control.

You will be highly numerate and literate as well as being highly presentable, as some of the role involves meetings with buyers from the major food retailers to advise and educate their buyers and staff about the quality standards you impose. You will need to be competent at Excel spreadsheets, and generally computer literate.

If you happen to have had experience of having set up a system from scratch previously, that would be most welcome, however it’s not essential.

Working from the brand new office in central London, there will also be a certain amount of field based travel visiting farmers and food manufacturers.

In return for your expertise, our client is prepared to pay a salary of between £35,542 to £44,156 plus performance bonus.

To be considered for this exciting position, please send your CV in the first instance to nick@houghton-mckenzie.com