Recruitment for the Fresh Produce, Food, Agriculture, viticulture & FMCG Industries.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a QA & Compliance Manager to join a well-established Fresh Produce business based in Kent.

This is a hands-on technical and compliance role suited to an experienced food safety, QA or technical professional who has a strong understanding of food hygiene, food safety, auditing and regulatory compliance.

Working as part of the Technical team, the successful candidate will take responsibility for supporting and delivering a robust, sustainable programme covering statutory, legal, regulatory, customer and internal compliance requirements.

The role requires someone who can work confidently on their own initiative, identify areas for improvement and ensure that training, auditing and compliance standards are consistently maintained across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and technical compliance.

• Develop, deliver and monitor training programmes to meet legal, customer and business requirements.

• Carry out internal audits and support the business with customer, supplier and third-party audits.

• Ensure compliance with relevant food safety legislation, industry standards and customer codes of practice.

• Maintain and support HACCP systems and associated food safety procedures.

• Monitor compliance against BRC requirements and own-label customer standards.

• Identify areas of non-compliance and work with relevant teams to implement effective corrective and preventative actions.

• Maintain accurate technical and compliance records and documentation.

• Provide technical guidance and support across the business.

• Work closely with the wider Technical team to promote a strong culture of food safety, quality and compliance.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in a QA, Technical, Food Safety or Compliance role within food manufacturing, fresh produce or a similar food environment.

• Relevant qualification in Food Safety, Food Science, Technical or Compliance to HND level or equivalent.

• Strong working knowledge of food safety legislation and regulatory requirements.

• Proven experience of auditing and compliance within a food business.

• Good understanding of HACCP principles and their practical application.

• Proven experience delivering food safety, hygiene or compliance training.

• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues across the business.

• Good numerical and analytical skills.

• Competent user of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.

• Ability to work independently, prioritise workload and drive actions through to completion.

Desirable

• Experience within the Fresh Produce / Fruit & Vegetable sector.

• Experience working with major retail or own-label customers.

• Internal auditing qualification or relevant audit experience.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced QA or Technical professional looking to take ownership of quality, food safety and compliance activities within an established Fresh Produce business.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to maintaining and improving technical standards, supporting audit readiness and developing food safety and compliance across the operation.

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 DOE + Bonus

To discuss the QA & Compliance Manager role, or to apply, please contact Frank or Georgina on 07734 861080 to discuss the position and your experience.

Alternatively, if you feel you have the relevant experience, please send your CV to georgina@fmkconsulting.co and we will come back to you with further information about the role and the company.

Our client is closing the gap every day between the UK and the world by connecting trade, travel, visitors and communities locally and globally. Collaborating with local and international partners, they are creating a more seamless, sustainable and technology-enabled port.

As the UK's busiest international ferry port and a vital gateway for the movement of people and trade, our client handles £144 billion of trade per year, representing 33% of UK trade in goods with the EU, and welcomes over 11 million passengers. They are also an award-winning cruise port, delivering world-class travel and visitor experiences to some of the most prestigious cruise lines.

With a growing and diversifying cargo business operating from state-of-the-art facilities, a brand-new marina forming a major feature of an exciting waterfront development, and opportunities for further expansion in the future, our client's proud 400-year history has a modern twist.

Job Description

Reporting to the Head of Health & Safety, you will provide expert fire safety leadership, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation while developing and embedding a robust Fire Safety Management System across the port.

This is a unique opportunity to influence safety strategy at scale, working across operational environments, commercial buildings, engineering projects, marine facilities and major infrastructure developments.

This position is offered on a 6-month fixed-term contract.

The Role

As Fire Safety Manager/Engineer, you will act as our client's subject matter expert for all fire safety matters, driving compliance, governance and continual improvement.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing the Port Fire Safety Strategy, overseeing fire risk assessment programmes and providing technical assurance across buildings, operational areas and capital projects.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the Fire Safety Management System and governance framework.
• Developing fire safety policies, standards and procedures.
• Managing and assuring statutory Fire Risk Assessments across the estate.
• Undertaking and validating complex and higher-risk Fire Risk Assessments.
• Providing technical advice on active and passive fire protection measures.
• Supporting Engineering, Estates, Capital Projects and Building Compliance teams.
• Reviewing designs, refurbishments and construction projects to ensure fire safety compliance.
• Leading fire safety audits, inspections and compliance reporting.
• Developing and testing emergency plans, evacuation strategies and fire drills.
• Managing contractor fire safety arrangements and hot work controls.
• Liaising with Kent Fire & Rescue Service, insurers and regulators.
• Producing executive-level reports, KPIs and improvement plans.
• Conducting fire safety training needs analysis and supporting key stakeholder engagement activities.

What You'll Deliver

Success in this role will be measured through:

• Implementation of an effective Fire Safety Management System.
• Management of 100% of statutory Fire Risk Assessments.
• Development and approval of the Fire Safety Strategy and governance framework.
• Delivery of a comprehensive fire safety audit programme.
• Establishment of meaningful executive KPI reporting.
• Positive assurance outcomes from regulators and insurers.
• Development of a port-wide fire safety training needs analysis.

About You

We're seeking a confident, technically capable professional who can operate strategically while remaining hands-on when required.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree (or higher qualification) in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Engineering, Building Surveying, Building Control, Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Advanced competence in fire safety (EQF Level 5 / RQF Level 4 or above).
• ABBE Level 4 Fire Risk Assessment qualification.
• IFTC Level 4 Fire Risk Assessment qualification.
• Knowledge of the Building Safety Act and related fire safety legislation.
• Competence in Higher-Risk Buildings.
• Membership of GIFireE/MIFireE or actively working towards membership.
• Commitment to maintaining at least 25 hours of Continuing Professional Development annually.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Flexibility to participate in an on-call rota.
• The ability to access heights and vessels within a harbour environment.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• NEBOSH Fire Certificate.
• NEBOSH Diploma.
• ISO 45001 Lead Auditor qualification.
• Passive Fire Protection and Fire Door Inspection qualifications.
• Experience gained within ports, airports, rail, defence, logistics or other critical national infrastructure environments.

Why Join Our Client?

You'll play a critical role in protecting one of the UK's most important transport and trade hubs. You'll join a team that values collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement while making a genuine impact on the safety and resilience of their operation.

Hours of Work: Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £42,500 per annum (pro rata)

Benefits:

• 5 weeks annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata)
• Generous contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 3rd party discounts
• Benefits and reward platform
• Free parking
• Employee volunteering scheme

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years. There will also be a pre-employment medical, including a Drug and Alcohol test, and candidates must satisfy Right to Work requirements in the UK.

Please be aware that all employees will be subject to background security checks in order to obtain a Dock Pass.

Our client values the unique differences that each of their colleagues bring to work every day and is committed to creating an environment where everyone looks after each other and is respected, included and able to perform at their best.

Flexible working options are available where possible.

If you are an experienced fresh produce, food or FMCG Account Manager who thrives on building customer and grower partnerships, improving service and driving category growth, this could be your next career move.

As Account Manager, you will manage the day-to-day commercial and operational relationship between the company, Retailers and a network of overseas growers. You will be the key link between supply and demand, ensuring customer priorities are understood, grower capability is aligned and stakeholders remain connected across the supply chain.

You will own account performance—managing volumes and profitability, monitoring OTIF, forecast accuracy, availability and waste, and leading the resolution of supply, quality and service issues. Using sales, financial, market and competitor insight, you will identify risks and opportunities, support negotiations and deliver clear forecasts and performance reporting.

Working with The retailer’s buying, technical, supply-chain and product-development teams, you will also shape category plans, range reviews and seasonal programmes. You will lead NPD from concept to launch, collaborating with growers on new varieties, formats, packaging and sustainability initiatives that improve sales, margin and customer satisfaction.

Our client's perfect Account Manager would have - 

• Account management, commercial or customer-service experience in fresh produce, food or FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of fresh-produce supply chains and major-retailer requirements.
• Experience managing retailer relationships with major UK grocer’s is desirable.
• Commercial awareness and confidence interpreting financial, sales and market data.
• Excellent communication, presentation, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong organisation, judgement and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI and Microsoft Office applications.
• A proactive, resilient, collaborative and customer-focused approach.

The Hours You Would Work

• Monday to Friday. 8am–5pm (40hrs per week) with occasional travel overseas.

What We Can Offer You

• A competitive salary.
• 6.6 weeks annual leave incl. bank hols.
• Pension scheme.
• Optional company share scheme.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Free onsite parking.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Medicash.
• Death in service benefit.

Send over your CV to the FMK Team today!