Quality Operations Manager

Job title: Quality Operations Manager (permanent, full-time)

Location: North West London, NW2 7HF

Salary: Competitive

Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm + 1 hour lunch break

Hybrid: 3 days in office, 2 days working from home

Start date: Immediate

Our business…

At Vitabiotics, you'll find a diverse bunch of talented folk who come from a wide range of backgrounds and possess an extensive array of experience. What brings us all together is a culture that thrives on innovation, mutual respect, team work and a sense of commitment. Vitabiotics is truly a great place to work!

Vitabiotics has pioneered advances in nutritional healthcare products for 55 years and the range includes many of Britain’s leading supplement brands such as Perfectil, Pregnacare, Wellman, Wellwoman and Menopace.

As the UK’s No.1 vitamin company, exporting to over 100 countries, Vitabiotics is widely acknowledged as leaders in innovation and in 2018 became the first vitamin company to twice receive the Queen’s Award for Innovation, awarded for its ground breaking clinical research. 

As part of our commitment to innovation and development, we are looking for experienced and technically focused Quality Operations Manager. You will be responsible for ensuring that quality standards, processes and systems are effectively implemented and maintained across day-to-day operations, from raw materials and manufacturing through to finished products. Working closely with technical, regulatory, manufacturing, product development and supply chain teams, you will help ensure products consistently meet quality, safety and regulatory requirements while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have strong technical and operational experience within a regulated environment, excellent attention to detail, and a proactive approach to maintaining high standards of quality and compliance.

Responsibilities will include…

Quality Management System (QMS)

• Manage and maintain the Quality Management System in compliance with:
• EU and UK regulatory requirements
• Food supplement regulations
• Cosmetic regulations
• ISO quality standards where applicable
• Ensure quality policies, procedures, work instructions, and records remain current and effective.
• Drive continuous improvement of quality systems and processes.
• Monitor quality metrics and report trends to senior management.
• Support the preparation and delivery of Management Review meetings.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Provide QA oversight for manufacturing, packaging, warehouse, distribution, and outsourced activities.
• Support implementation and maintenance of HACCP principles where applicable.
• Provide quality oversight for cosmetic products in line with UK Cosmetic Regulation requirements.
• Assist with product quality reviews and market surveillance activities.
• Review and approve quality documentation, including:
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Specifications
• Batch records
• Certificates of Analysis
• Quality agreements
• Support product disposition and release activities where authorized.

Deviations, Investigations & CAPA Management

• Lead investigations relating to:
• Deviations
• Non-conformances
• Out-of-specification results
• Customer complaints
• Quality incidents
• Ensure robust root cause analysis is conducted.
• Oversee the implementation and effectiveness of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs).
• Monitor investigation timelines and ensure regulatory expectations are met

Change Control & Risk Management

• Manage the site Change Control process.
• Conduct quality impact and risk assessments for proposed changes.
• Ensure implementation activities are appropriately documented and approved.
• Promote Quality Risk Management principles throughout the organisation.

Audit & Inspection Management

• Manage the internal audit programme.
• Conduct and lead self-inspections across operational areas.
• Support supplier qualification and supplier auditing activities.
• Lead preparations for audits conducted by an external source e.g. MHRA
• Coordinate responses to audit observations and regulatory findings

Supplier Quality Management

• Support supplier qualification, approval, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Review supplier quality documentation and agreements.
• Conduct risk-based supplier assessments.
• Monitor supplier performance and quality trends.

Training & Quality Culture

• Ensure effective, quality, and compliance training programmes are maintained.
• Mentor and develop Quality Officers and other quality team members.
• Promote a proactive quality culture throughout the organisation.
• Support cross-functional departments in understanding and meeting quality requirements.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Manage, coach, and develop members of the Quality team.
• Set objectives and performance expectations for direct reports.
• Support succession planning and capability development within the department.

Requirements

Essential

• Degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Quality Management, or a related scientific discipline
• Extensive experience in a pharmaceutical quality role.
• Demonstrable experience within a GMP-regulated environment.
• Experience managing quality systems.
• Experience leading internal and external audits.
• Experience managing or supervising quality personnel
• Knowledge of Quality Risk Management methodologies.

Desirable

• Experience within the food supplement and/or nutraceutical industry.
• Experience with cosmetic product quality systems and regulatory compliance.
• Lead Auditor qualification.
• Experience with ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 22000, or similar standards.
• Experience supporting MHRA inspections.
• Knowledge of Quality Risk Management methodologies.
• Experience using electronic Quality Management Systems (eQMS).

Skills

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Excellent investigation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organisational and project management abilities.
• Ability to balance commercial objectives with regulatory compliance.
• Confident decision-maker with a risk-based approach.

Benefits

• 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Birthday day off.
• 2 Charity days a year.
• Bupa dental cover.
• Private medical insurance.
• 50% staff discount on all Vitabiotics products.
• Staff skills training.
• Health and wellbeing programme.
• Pension contributions.
• Sick pay support.
• Free onsite parking.
• Enhanced maternity or paternity leave.
• Company events.
• Fresh fruit and snacks.
• Free EV charging station.