Our client is an emerging food manufacturer establishing a greenfield operation in Pakenham, with production planned to commence in mid 2027.
With a strong focus on innovation, quality, and healthier formulations, the business is investing heavily in product development married with brand new equipment commissioning and install. Working closely with internal R&D functions and company Directors, they are building a unique portfolio of next-generation products designed to disrupt the market.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Quality Lead will be instrumental in establishing the site's entire quality and food safety framework from the ground up. This standalone role will own the end-to-end development of food safety standards, compliance, and regulatory matters across the business, laying the foundations for a scalable, audit-ready operation.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing, developing, and implementing quality management and food safety systems from scratch
- Developing HACCP plans, prerequisite programs, policies, procedures, and supporting documentation
- Leading the business towards certification against relevant GFSI standards (e.g. SQF) and customer requirements
- Ensuring compliance with the FSANZ Food Standards Code
- Acting as the key liaison with regulators, certification bodies, and customer auditors
- Establishing supplier approval, raw material specification, traceability, and recall programs
- Partnering with NPD and the external R&D partner to embed food safety and regulatory compliance into new products from concept stage
- Building a strong food safety and quality culture, including developing training programs as the team grows
- Setting up verification, validation, internal audit, and continuous improvement processes
Requirements
The ideal candidate will bring:
- Degree qualification in Food Safety, Food Science, Quality Assurance, or a related discipline
- Proven experience developing and implementing quality systems in a dynamic food manufacturing environment
- Strong working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and the FSANZ Food Standards Code
- Experience leading or preparing sites for third-party and customer audits
- Previous experience in a startup, greenfield, or rapidly scaling business highly regarded
- Ability to work autonomously as a standalone function while influencing senior stakeholders
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to balance building systems with day-to-day compliance
- A proactive, adaptable mindset with the drive to set high standards from day one
Please call Eugene Lane-Mullins on 0435 914 485 or email e.lane-mullins@aspectpersonnel.com.au to discuss this role or other opportunities in more detail.
