Barden has been retained by our client, a market leading dairy company in their search for QA Manager.The QA Manager will support in leading and managing the quality assurance function, ensuring that all dairy products meet regulatory standards, customer requirements, and company quality objectives.ABOUT THE ROLE:What You will Do:Ensure full compliance with local and international food safety regulations and statutory requirements (e.g., FDA, FSSAI, EU).Develop, implement, and maintain robust Quality Management Systems (QMS) aligned with ISO, HACCP, FSSC 22000, and other relevant dairy industry standards.Oversee the effective monitoring and verification of Critical Control Points (CCPs) across all dairy processing operations.Lead internal, supplier, and third-party audits, ensuring timely closure of non-conformances and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.Ensure strict adherence to GMP, GHP, and SSOP programs across production, packaging, and sanitation teams.Lead the Food Safety Team and facilitate regular reviews and updates of HACCP plans.Define and manage specifications for raw materials, ingredients, in-process materials, and finished products.Oversee sensory evaluation programs, shelf-life studies, and final product release decisions to ensure quality and consistency.Investigate quality issues and customer complaints, identifying root causes and implementing preventive measures.Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, wastage, and recurring customer concerns.Analyse quality metrics, prepare detailed performance reports, and recommend action plans to achieve quality KPIs.Collaborate with R&D, Production, and Supply Chain teams to support new product development (NPD), process validation, and scaling.Conduct regular training for production, warehouse, and sanitation teams on hygiene, food safety, and quality systems.Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation in line with regulatory, customer, and certification body requirements.Ensure timely preparation and submission of quality reports, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), and compliance records.ABOUT THE PERSON:Master's degree (or equivalent) in Food Science, Dairy Technology, Microbiology, or a related discipline.Strong background in Quality Assurance within the dairy industry; experience in broader food manufacturing environments is also valuable.In-depth understanding of dairy processing technologies, microbiology, and industry-specific food safety regulations.Hands-on experience implementing and managing HACCP, ISO 22000/FSSC 22000, and other recognized food safety management systems.Solid knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and their practical application in dairy production environments.Experience conducting internal, external, and regulatory audits, including collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.