Quality Assurance Manager ( Hatton )

At Cargills, we are not just a Company; we are a cornerstone of Sri Lanka's vibrant economy. With a heritage spanning over 180 years, we have continuously evolved to become a leading force in multiple industries, including Retail, FMCG, Restaurants, Financial Services, Agribusiness, Cinemas, Hospitality, and Real Estate. Built on a strong foundation of values and ethics, we have spread our reach across Sri Lanka, with investments and operations that touch the lives of millions of consumers, farmers, and entrepreneurs on a daily basis. We are committed to leveraging technology to enhance operational excellence, create sustainable markets, and foster employment opportunities, all whilst actively engaging in initiatives that uplift communities and protect the environment to build a brighter future for all.Unlock your potential as Manager – Quality Assurance. This is for our Kotmale Dairy Products - Cargills Cheese factory located in Bogahawatta/Hatton.Job Role:-Defining QA vision and setting measurable objectives in line with the vision of the Dairy Sector.-Develop, implement, and continually improve Quality Assurance and Food Safety procedures covering raw materials, packaging material, dairy processing, filling, packaging, storage, distribution, and retail, ensuring alignment with company policies, regulatory & customer requirements, and international best practices.-Ensure effective execution of FSMS/QMS systems, including:Team awareness and competencyCompliance monitoring at shift levelTimely corrective and preventive actions for deviations-Lead and maintain national and international certifications (e.g. HACCP, ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, HACCP, GMP, HALAL/GSO), including documentation control, internal audits, external audits, and sustained compliance.-Collaborate with Production team to monitor, analyze, and report FSMS/QMS performance trends including:Daily quality panels and sensory evaluationsMicrobiological and chemical resultsComplaint trends and repeat issuesVariability in process and product quality-Coordinate/lead consumer complaint management, including detailed RCA related to factory and market investigations, and coordination with Production, Sales, and Marketing to ensure effective correction and corrective actions.-Oversee Supplier Quality Assurance, including:Evaluation and approval of new and alternative suppliersRaw material risk assessmentSupplier audits and performance monitoringAssurance of milk quality by visiting sampling and analysis of milk and continuous monitoring and reporting.-Manage, lead and develop QA Team and foster a strong quality culture.-Plan and manage QA operating and capital budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources aligned with business priorities.-Oversee chemical and microbiological laboratory operations, ensuring:Accurate, timely testingMethod validationCompliance with internal standards and regulatory requirements-Support new product development, renovation, and benchmarking activities, ensuring food safety and quality risks are identified early and managed during scale.-Liaise with regulatory authorities on quality, water standards, effluent monitoring, and compliance-related matters.-Lead and participate in food safety incident management, mock recalls, and crisis response as required by Management.-Undertake additional projects and responsibilities as assigned by the Management.Candidate Requirements:Passionate about Sri Lanka; you're committed to making a positive impact for our Country and its people.Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc.) in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology or a related field.Minimum 8 years of Quality Assurance experience within the food manufacturing industry, preferably in Dairy, FMCG, or other food processing sectors. Experience in the dairy/cheese industry will be a distinct advantage.Professional training certifications in Quality Management Systems (QMS), Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Product Safety.Strong working knowledge of food manufacturing processes, quality control methodologies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.Proficiency in QA systems and Microsoft 365 applications.Strong expertise in quality inspections, auditing, testing, microbiological analysis, sensory evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.Strong organizational and planning abilities, with a proven track record of prioritizing tasks and delivering quality objectives.Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.A proactive, accountable, and results-oriented team player who is committed to maintaining the highest standards of product quality and food safety.Should be able to work at our factory located in Bogahawatta/Hatton.Embody our Values: Customer Centric, Accountable, Respect, Green, Innovative, Love, Lead & Serve the Nation.*By applying, you consent to Cargills Ceylon PLC processing your personal information for recruitment purposes. Your data will be kept confidential and accessed only by authorized personnel.