Manager Quality Assurance

About the Function:

Supply Chain & Manufacturing is where our brands are made, moved and delivered to the world. 

With over half of our people working across more than 100 sites, this is a complex, large-scale operation that brings together production, logistics, engineering and supplier partnerships. 

It’s fast-paced and hands-on, with teams working together to ensure quality, efficiency and sustainability at every stage. From sourcing ingredients to getting products into customers’ hands, you’ll play a role in delivering the brands people know and love. 

About this role 

Role Purpose

Lead the Quality function across the distillery and bottling operations, ensuring product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement while meeting Diageo quality standards and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Quality Management System (QMS), GMP, HACCP, FSSC 22000/ISO compliance and internal audits.

• Ensure quality of raw materials, in-process controls, fermentation, distillation, maturation, blending and finished spirits.

• Manage laboratory operations including chemical and microbiological testing, calibration and batch release.

• Drive packaging quality by monitoring filling, closures, labels, coding, leakage, and finished goods inspection.

• Investigate customer complaints, quality incidents using RCA, CAPA and continuous improvement tools.

• Manage supplier quality, incoming material approvals and vendor audits.

• Lead quality KPIs including Right First Time, consumer complaints, process capability, yield improvement and cost of poor quality.

• Develop and coach the quality team while fostering a strong quality and food safety culture.

Qualifications & Experience

• M.Sc. (Chemistry/Microbiology/Food Technology/Biotechnology) or Chemical Engineering.
• 6–10 years of experience in distillery, brewery or beverage manufacturing quality.
• Knowledge of SAP/LIMS, laboratory systems, HACCP, ISO/FSSC 22000 and statistical quality tools.

Key Competencies

• Leadership

• Analytical Thinking

• Problem Solving

• Stakeholder Management

• Regulatory Compliance

• Continuous Improvement

• Communication

1. Quality Operations

• Play a pivotal role as unit quality manager in collaboration with unit team to improve and sustain quality systems and capability development at unit level
• Carry out end of the line inspection of all finished goods at the unit as per UFPS standards
• Conduct RM/PM inspection as per standards and sensory evaluation of samples
• Lead root cause problem solving investigations for issues that occur on quality at units
• Responsible for capability development of unit quality team on quality standards
• Engage unit quality teams for the implementation of quality standards
• Ensure all regulatory requirements to be complied without any deviations
• Responsible for planning and conducting periodic Internal Audit, MRM for FSMS
• Take appropriate action/approval for QC hold/under deviation/reworked material
• Ensure MIS report submission to Unit Head, Cluster QA & QA-HO as & when required
• Support all inter-departmental teams for ensuring smooth production in line with adherence to quality standards
• End of line defects (PPM)
• L1 audit score
• Liquid quality compliance
• Customer complaint closure (Lead time & CAPA verification
• Adherence to quality standards

2 Training

• Develop Training calendar and impart training on quality related topics to unit team

• Responsible for certification/implementation of ISO 9000/22000 as per organization requirements.

• Ensure training of unit team for skills such as cross functional, quality etc.

Working with Us 

Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you so that you’re supported to manage your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one. 

We recognise and value performance, offering our people a highly competitive Rewards and Benefits package including:  

Diversity Statement:

Our purpose is crafting iconic drinks chosen for life’s moments. And it’s our people, with their different experiences, perspectives and talents, who make that possible. 

We value diversity in its broadest sense and want everyone to feel they can belong, contribute and strive for their personal best. You’ll work alongside people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives — challenging, supporting and learning from one another as one outstanding team. 

Together, we’re constantly learning and improving, combining the strength of our people, capabilities and iconic brands to raise the bar, grow and win. Wherever you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, make an impact and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more. 

Ready to bring your best? This could be your opportunity. 

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please ensure that you capture this information when you submit your application. 

Recruitment Scam Warning

Protecting candidates is very important to us. All communications regarding your application will come from an email address ending in @diageo.com. In our recruitment process, we'll never ask for money.