Quality Manager (d/f/m)

JOB PURPOSE

This role exists to establish and lead Quality excellence at the Leioa manufacturing site, ensuring the highest standards of product quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance. As a newly created leadership role, the Quality Manager will play a key role in shaping the site's quality vision, driving continuous improvement, and embedding a strong quality culture across all operations.

Acting as the site's Quality leader, the role serves as the primary point of contact for quality-related matters, partnering with cross-functional teams, customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities to safeguard consumer trust and support sustainable business growth.

You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that matters — for people and the planet.

Because here, we don’t just hire for jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and develop the site Quality team, fostering a culture of quality, food safety, and continuous improvement.

• Own and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with Unilever standards, regulatory requirements, and food safety expectations.

• Lead the implementation and governance of HACCP and food safety programs to proactively manage risk.

• Drive quality excellence through root cause analysis, CAPA management, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Lead internal and external audits and maintain certification compliance (e.g. FSSC 22000).

• Partner with cross-functional teams to embed quality standards into manufacturing, innovation, and site change projects.

• Monitor quality performance through KPIs and drive actions to improve operational excellence.

• Manage quality incidents, complaints, and non-conformances, ensuring timely and sustainable resolutions.

• Act as the key quality contact for customers, suppliers, regulatory authorities, and external stakeholders.

• Ensure effective quality training, documentation, and capability building across the site.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• University (min. bachelor's) degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related scientific field.

• Minimum 5 years of Quality Assurance experience within a food manufacturing environment.

• Strong expertise in HACCP, Food Safety, and Quality Management Systems (e.g. FSSC 22000, BRC, IFS).

• Proven leadership experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams.

• Fluent Spanish and advanced English (C1 or equivalent).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• HACCP certification and auditor-level knowledge of FSSC 22000.

• Experience leading audits, compliance, and continuous improvement programs.

• Proficiency in SAP, Power BI, and Microsoft Office applications.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

• Car allowance

• Smart working

• Meal card and company canteen

• Health & accident insurance

• Learning programs

• Online company shop

• Mental & physical wellbeing programs

• Company Social Welfare Plan

Please submit your application in English.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.