Product Manager - Fresh Produce

Product Manager – Food Quality & Compliance

Location: Hayes, London

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

Working pattern: Site-based

Pay: up to £55k + bonus 

Our client is a well-established food manufacturing business supplying major UK retailers and customers with high‑quality fresh products. Operating within a fast-paced FMCG environment, the business is recognised for its strong food safety culture, operational excellence, and commitment to continuous improvement across the supply chain.

The Role

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Product Manager (Food Quality) to lead the factory product quality function at a key UK manufacturing site. Reporting into the Technical Manager, this role plays a critical part in assuring total product quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance, while driving continuous improvement and resilience across operations.

You will lead Technical Supervisors, act as a guardian of brand integrity, and work closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure products are safe, legal, consistent, and aligned with customer and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the overall product quality performance of the factory

• Own and continuously develop the Total Quality Management System (TQMS)

• Successfully manage all regulatory, customer, second and third‑party audits (announced and unannounced)

• Drive a strong culture of food safety, quality assurance, and continuous improvement

• Ensure all customer specifications are current, accurate, and fully embedded across the site

• Manage raw material intake quality, yield optimisation, and allocation

• Act as a key HACCP team member, ensuring all risk assessments, validation and verification systems are robust

• Lead effective resolution of quality issues and prevention of customer complaints

• Ensure full adherence to NPD and change control processes

• Coach, develop, and performance-manage Technical Supervisors

• Build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities

• Act as deputy in the absence of the Technical manager when required

Key Requirements

• Degree-qualified in Food Science, Horticulture, Agriculture, or a related discipline

• HACCP Level 4

• Level 4 Food Safety Supervision (Manufacturing)

• Internal and Third‑Party Auditing qualifications

• Proven experience in a food manufacturing, fresh produce, or horticultural environment

• Strong working knowledge of UK food legislation and customer standards

• Demonstrated leadership and stakeholder management capability

• Highly organised, data-driven, and resilient in fast‑moving environments

• Fluent English (written and verbal)

• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel within the UK and overseas on occasion

Why Apply?

This is a high-impact leadership role offering real influence over product quality, food safety, and brand integrity within a complex FMCG operation.

To apply, please send your CV to career@rndrecruitment.co.uk or apply directly via our website.