About the Business
Regal Bight Fisheries Pty Ltd is a South Australian seafood processing, aquaculture and wholesale business based in Port Adelaide. The business supplies high-quality seafood products across retail, wholesale, food service and customer supply channels.
Our operations include seafood receival, processing, filleting, packing, cold storage, dispatch, supplier coordination and quality compliance. We are committed to maintaining strong food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement systems across all areas of the business.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to oversee, maintain and improve our quality assurance, food safety, compliance and continuous improvement systems across seafood processing and aquaculture operations.
The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring that products, suppliers, operational processes and quality systems comply with applicable food safety legislation, HACCP principles, FSANZ standards, customer specifications, regulatory obligations under Commonwealth and South Australian law, and internal business requirements.
This role requires effective coordination with the CEO, Operations Manager, production and processing staff, operational supervisors, suppliers, contractors, customers, auditors and regulatory authorities to ensure consistent delivery of compliant, high-quality seafood products and services.
Key Responsibilities
The Quality Assurance Manager will be responsible for:
- Developing, implementing, maintaining and monitoring quality assurance systems and standard operating procedures across seafood processing and aquaculture activities.
- Planning, coordinating and participating in quality system reviews, internal audits, regulatory compliance inspections, supplier reviews and quality system evaluations.
- Assisting staff and management to identify improvements to systems, processes, workflows and operational procedures.
- Guiding the business through the implementation, maintenance and improvement of quality systems, certification processes, accreditation requirements and regulatory compliance programs.
- Ensuring compliance with applicable food safety legislation, including the Food Act 2001 (SA), Food Standards Australia New Zealand standards, HACCP principles and internal company policies.
- Assisting in the identification of formal standards, regulatory codes, customer requirements and industry requirements relevant to the business.
- Assisting in the establishment and management of contractual, customer and regulatory compliance systems.
- Identifying risks, opportunities, non-conformances and operational issues, and recommending corrective and preventative actions to management.
- Maintaining certification, accreditation and regulatory compliance systems relevant to seafood processing, aquaculture, export and industry-specific requirements.
- Reviewing workflows, systems and operational processes to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, customer satisfaction and efficient use of company resources.
- Assisting management to develop quality objectives, operational strategies and improvement initiatives.
- Implementing and monitoring quality control measures, reporting systems, statistical monitoring tools and quality trend analysis where required.
- Developing, documenting and maintaining standard operating procedures, compliance documentation, quality records and operational process controls.
- Liaising with suppliers and contractors to ensure products, raw materials and services meet required specifications, food safety requirements and applicable regulatory standards.
- Conducting supplier assessments, supplier quality reviews and compliance monitoring activities across the supply chain.
- Monitoring supplier performance and assisting in the resolution of quality-related issues.
- Liaising with customers regarding product quality, specifications, compliance requirements, service standards and delivery performance.
- Monitoring customer feedback and assisting in the implementation of improvements to enhance customer satisfaction, quality performance and product consistency.
- Maintaining complete and accurate records relating to audits, inspections, supplier compliance, quality testing, corrective actions, product release and operational procedures.
- Preparing reports for management regarding audit outcomes, compliance activities, system performance, risks, corrective actions and quality improvements.
- Assisting with regulatory reporting and compliance documentation required by Commonwealth, South Australian and industry-specific authorities.
- Providing guidance and support to staff on quality procedures, hygiene standards, food safety requirements, HACCP principles and operational compliance obligations.
- Advising on and assisting with the delivery of staff training relating to quality assurance programs, food safety systems, hygiene standards and quality objectives.
- Promoting a workplace culture focused on safety, compliance, quality, customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
- Monitoring workplace health and safety obligations as they relate to the quality assurance function.
Travel Requirements
This role may involve occasional work-related travel within South Australia as part of supplier management, compliance monitoring and quality assurance responsibilities. Travel may include visits to regional seafood supply and processing locations, including Port Lincoln, Ceduna and Port Wakefield.
Essential Skills and Experience
Applicants must have:
- Demonstrated experience in quality assurance, food safety compliance, quality systems, operational compliance or operational management within seafood processing, aquaculture, manufacturing or a related food production environment.
- Sound working knowledge of HACCP principles, food safety standards and regulatory compliance obligations under Australian food law.
- Experience coordinating internal audits, supplier reviews, quality system evaluations, compliance inspections and corrective action processes.
- Ability to develop, implement and maintain quality assurance systems, standard operating procedures and compliance documentation.
- Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a busy operational environment.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to liaise professionally with internal staff, suppliers, contractors, customers, auditors and regulatory authorities.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate documentation and quality records.
- Ability to identify risks, non-conformances, system gaps and improvement opportunities.
- Ability to support staff training and promote a strong food safety and quality culture.
Desirable Skills and Experience
The following will be highly regarded:
- Relevant tertiary qualification in food science, quality management, environmental health, aquaculture, seafood processing, science or a related discipline.
- Experience with FSANZ standards and Australian export compliance requirements.
- Certificate IV or above in Food Safety Supervision, Quality Auditing or an equivalent qualification.
- Experience in seafood processing, aquaculture or fresh chilled food manufacturing.
- Experience with supplier approval systems, customer specifications, regulatory audits and food safety certification requirements.
- Valid driver’s licence.
Physical and Workplace Requirements
The successful applicant must be able to:
- Work within seafood processing and operational environments, including temperature-controlled areas.
- Comply with all hygiene, food safety and workplace health and safety procedures at all times.
- Undertake occasional regional travel within South Australia as required.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding business operations, suppliers, customers and commercially sensitive information.
Employment Conditions
This is a full-time permanent role based in Port Adelaide, South Australia.
Employment conditions are governed by the National Employment Standards and the applicable modern award, which may include the Seafood Processing Award 2020 and/or the Miscellaneous Award 2020, depending on the duties performed.
The salary offered is above the applicable minimum award rates and is intended to compensate for the ordinary hours of work, with superannuation paid at the applicable Superannuation Guarantee rate.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a current resume and cover letter outlining their relevant experience in quality assurance, food safety compliance, HACCP, seafood processing, aquaculture, manufacturing, supplier management, audits, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Pay: $85,000.00 – $95,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
