Head of Food Safety & Quality
Donegal
Overview
Some food businesses grow steadily. Others scale quickly because they get the fundamentals right. This is one of those businesses. Over the past number of years, our client has built a strong presence across the UK and Ireland, with expanding international reach and ambitious plans for further growth. Operating in a highly regulated, technically demanding category, their success has been underpinned by a relentless focus on product quality, food safety, and doing things the right way.
What's on offer
Attractive salary on offer
Role autonomy
Senior leadership role
Your day to day
This is a senior leadership role with real influence. You will take ownership of food safety and quality strategy across a flagship production site in Donegal and a wider network of manufacturing partners. It is a role that balances strategic direction with operational impact, setting standards, driving consistency, and ensuring systems evolve in line with business growth. You will be responsible for embedding a strong food safety culture across the organisation, one that goes beyond compliance and is genuinely lived on the ground. From leading HACCP and audit readiness through to strengthening QMS frameworks and improving process control, your remit will touch every part of the operation. Equally, this role is not confined to one site. With multiple facilities and external partners involved, a key part of your focus will be ensuring alignment, driving best practice, consistency, and accountability across the full supply chain. You will work closely with cross‑functional teams spanning production, engineering, hygiene, technical and commercial, playing a key role not just in protecting standards, but in enabling the business to grow confidently.
Your essential ingredients
Degree qualification in Food Science, Science, or a related discipline.
Minimum 5 years' leadership experience within food manufacturing.
Strong background in food safety and quality within food manufacturing or food ingredients.
Proven leadership experience, ideally in complex or multi‑site environments.
Deep knowledge of HACCP, QMS, and audit standards (BRCGS, customer, regulatory).
Ability to influence at all levels and build a proactive food safety culture.
Track record of delivering tangible improvements in quality and compliance.
Experience in high‑care, allergen‑controlled, or similarly regulated environments would be advantageous.
Why this role stands out
This is not a maintenance role…it is a build-and-shape opportunity.
The business has strong foundations in place, but there is clear scope to elevate systems, strengthen culture, and bring greater consistency across a growing international footprint.
You will have the backing of a leadership team that understands the importance of FSQ and the autonomy to make meaningful change.
If you are looking for a role where you can step into a visible leadership position, influence at a strategic level, and make a lasting impact as the business scales, this is worth a conversation.
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