Our client is a privately owned, vertically integrated meat business operating across the full supply chain, from livestock through to processing and global export. The business has a strong domestic presence and a significant international footprint, with the majority of production exported to premium markets worldwide. Backed by a long-tenured leadership team and a strong record of reinvestment, the organisation continues to invest heavily in its flagship processing operation.
The Opportunity
This is a newly created leadership role at one of the most significant meat processing operations in Australia - a high-volume, export-driven facility with a workforce approaching 1,000.
Reporting to the Plant Manager, this role owns technical, quality and regulatory compliance across the entire site. It's a genuine addition to the leadership team, with the current QA Manager and a broader team of around 30 (including QA officers and sanitation) reporting into the position.
The Role
You will take end-to-end ownership of food safety, quality and regulatory compliance across a complex, multi-department processing environment.
You will:
- Own the site's HACCP plan, including CCP monitoring, pre-shipment reviews and trend analysis
- Hold ownership of the site's export accreditation (Approved Arrangement) and regulatory standing
- Lead all DAFF, customer and third-party audits, including CAPA management
- Manage non-conformance, traceability and recall processes, including root cause investigation
- Drive food safety culture and training across the site
- Lead the QA Manager and broader compliance/sanitation team (~30 people)
- Partner closely with the Plant Manager and site leadership on compliance and continuous improvement
This is a meat processing facility that includes an active abattoir. Candidates must be genuinely comfortable operating across the full processing environment, including livestock processing and all associated operations. This is a core part of the role.
About You
You bring genuine technical and regulatory leadership from an export-accredited protein processing environment - not just a QA background, but someone who can own compliance at site level.
You will bring:
- Proven experience in a Technical, Compliance or Quality Manager role within an export-accredited protein facility (meat, poultry or similar)
- Strong working knowledge of HACCP, export regulatory frameworks and third-party/customer audit processes
- Halal-accredited site experience highly regarded
- A collaborative, low-ego leadership style - credible with both regulators and the floor
- The ability to balance technical rigour with practical, commercial thinking
- Full Australian work rights
To apply online, please click on the appropriate link below. Alternatively, for a confidential discussion, please contact Orrin Huang at ohuang@sharpandcarter.com.au or on https://www.linkedin.com/in/orrinhuang/.
Please do not send your CV via email.
This role is not open to international applicants.
