Food Quality Manager – Fresh Produce wanted at a leading Fresh Produce and Agro commodities Company in Dubai, UAE, to lead and manage end-to-end Quality Assurance (QA) and Food Safety operations across inbound, processing, and distribution stages. This role is critical in ensuring product quality, food safety compliance, and operational excellence across B2B, retail, and e-commerce channels in a fast-paced fresh produce environment.
The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in fresh fruits and vegetables quality control, supplier quality management, HACCP, ISO 22000, and UAE food safety regulations, along with the ability to drive continuous improvement and reduce waste.
Job Responsibilities
1. Quality Operations Management
- Own and manage the complete QA/QC function from inbound receipt to final dispatch.
- Ensure strict adherence to quality specifications, grading standards, and shelf-life requirements.
- Make real-time quality decisions in dynamic, high-volume operations.
2. Inbound Quality Control & Supplier Quality
- Develop and implement robust incoming inspection protocols (Brix testing, maturity index, grading, defect analysis).
- Define and enforce acceptance and rejection criteria for fresh produce.
- Conduct supplier audits, vendor qualification, and performance monitoring to ensure consistent raw material quality.
3. E-commerce & Marketplace Quality Assurance
- Maintain high-quality standards for online platforms, including cut fruits, fresh packs, and ready-to-eat (RTE) products.
- Minimize customer complaints, returns, and refunds through stringent QA processes.
- Align quality systems with high-speed e-commerce fulfillment models.
4. B2B & Wholesale Quality Management
- Ensure compliance with customer-specific quality requirements for retail chains, HORECA, and airline catering clients.
- Oversee bulk inspections, product standardization, and dispatch quality checks.
- Provide quality reporting and issue resolution for key accounts.
5. Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, HACCP, and UAE food safety regulations.
- Maintain and continuously improve the Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
- Ensure traceability systems, documentation, and audit readiness at all times.
- Stay updated with Dubai Municipality and UAE regulatory requirements.
6. Customer Complaints & CAPA Management
- Ensure response to customer complaints within 24 hours and closure within 48 hours.
- Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
- Track complaint trends and drive continuous quality improvement initiatives.
7. Process Improvement & Waste Reduction
- Lead initiatives to reduce product rejection, shrinkage, and wastage.
- Improve shelf life, yield optimization, and process efficiency.
- Implement best practices in cold chain management and post-harvest handling.
8. Team Leadership & Training
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of QA/QC inspectors and food safety professionals.
- Conduct regular training programs on HACCP, GMP, hygiene, and quality standards.
- Foster a zero-compromise culture on food quality and safety.
9. Audits, Reporting & KPIs
- Manage internal, external, and certification audits.
- Prepare and publish quality dashboards, reports, and KPIs.
- Monitor performance metrics such as rejection rates, customer complaints, and compliance scores.
Job Qualifications
- Strong expertise in fresh produce quality control and post-harvest technology
- Proven experience in QA/QC leadership roles in FMCG or fresh food supply chains
- In-depth knowledge of HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, GMP, and UAE food safety standards
- Excellent skills in supplier quality management, audit handling, and process improvement
- Ability to balance commercial objectives with uncompromising quality standards
- Strong analytical, leadership, and decision-making capabilities
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