The Quality & HSE Manager is responsible for leading and continually improving Carlow Brewing Company's Quality, Food Safety, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) management systems based at our Bagenalstown brewery.
The role ensures that all products consistently meet the highest standards of quality, food safety and regulatory compliance while fostering a proactive safety culture and driving environmental sustainability initiatives. Working closely with Brewing, Packaging, Supply Chain and Commercial teams, the Quality & HSE Manager plays a key role in protecting the company's brands, employees, customers and reputation.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Management
- Lead and continuously improve the brewery Quality Management System (QMS).
- Ensure consistent production of beer meeting internal specifications and customer expectations.
- Oversee laboratory operations including microbiological, chemical and sensory testing.
- Monitor quality performance through KPIs, trend analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Investigate quality issues, customer complaints and non-conformances, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Approve product releases where required.
- Maintain product specifications, quality documentation and change control processes.
- Support new product development by establishing quality requirements and validation processes.
Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
- Maintain and develop the site's HACCP and Food Safety Management System.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, including:
- Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) requirements
- Irish and EU food legislation
- Labelling requirements
- Excise and traceability requirements where applicable
- Coordinate internal audits and external certification audits.
- Manage customer audits and retailer technical requirements.
- Ensure allergen management, hygiene standards and sanitation programmes remain effective.
- Oversee product traceability exercises and recall preparedness.
Health & Safety
- Lead implementation of the company's Health & Safety Management System.
- Ensure compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act and associated regulations.
- Maintain risk assessments, safe systems of work and safety procedures.
- Lead accident, incident and near-miss investigations.
- Monitor corrective actions and ensure timely closure.
- Chair Health & Safety meetings.
- Promote behavioural safety and employee engagement.
- Coordinate contractor safety management.
- Manage emergency response planning and drills.
- Deliver safety training and inductions.
Environmental Management
- Support implementation of environmental management systems.
- Monitor environmental compliance including:
- Waste management
- Wastewater
- Water usage
- Energy consumption
- Emissions
- Drive sustainability projects focused on reducing environmental impact.
- Ensure compliance with EPA licence conditions (where applicable).
· Management of the effluent treatment plant.
· Produce environmental performance reports.
Leadership
- Lead, coach and develop the Quality team.
- Foster a culture of ownership, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Provide technical support across brewing, packaging and warehouse operations.
- Work collaboratively with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain and Procurement.
- Participate in operational leadership meetings.
- Support strategic business improvement initiatives.
Continuous Improvement
- Drive Root Cause Analysis using recognised methodologies.
- Lead CAPA programmes.
- Apply Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement tools.
- Monitor and report quality and safety KPIs.
- Identify opportunities for process optimisation.
Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain controlled documentation and records.
- Ensure SOPs remain current and effective.
- Coordinate internal audit schedules.
- Manage document control processes.
- Ensure training records remain current.
Any other duties deemed relevant to the role
Person Specification
Essential
- Degree in Food Science, Brewing, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in Quality and/or HSE leadership within food, beverage or brewing manufacturing.
- Strong working knowledge of HACCP principles.
- Experience managing Quality Management Systems.
- Excellent understanding of Irish Health & Safety legislation.
- Experience leading audits and regulatory inspections.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and influencing ability.
- Experience leading teams.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and quality management systems.
Desirable
- Brewing qualification or brewing industry experience.
- Lead Auditor qualification.
- NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent.
- IOSH Managing Safely or higher qualification.
- Environmental Management qualification.
- Experience with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 systems.
- Lean Six Sigma qualification.
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Company pension
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
