At Gelato Messina, we take what we make seriously. From gelato and chocolate to intricate patisserie, we're particular about our ingredients, our processes and the quality of everything that leaves our kitchen. We're looking for a Quality Assurance Manager to lead our food safety and quality function at Messina HQ in Marrickville. This is a hands-on, autonomous role for someone who knows their stuff, enjoys solving problems and understands that good food safety practices need to work in a busy production environment, not just look good on paper. We're a family-owned business with high standards and a fairly relaxed approach to everything else. We work hard, have a good laugh and take pride in doing things properly. The role You'll take responsibility for food safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance across our manufacturing operations. It's a broad role, covering everything from audits and HACCP to supplier quality, allergen management, product labelling and export compliance. You'll work closely with our production and product development teams to make sure our standards are maintained as the business continues to grow. What you'll be doing
- Lead and manage internal and external audits, including NSW Food Authority, Halal, third-party food safety and DAFF export compliance.
- Maintain and continuously improve our food safety program in accordance with the Food Act 2003 (NSW), FSANZ Food Standards Code and applicable NSW food safety requirements.
- Manage our Approved Arrangement for dairy exports.
- Develop, review and maintain HACCP plans across our production operations.
- Oversee allergen management and ensure appropriate controls are in place.
- Manage microbiological and chemical testing programs, including our in-house laboratory and external testing providers.
- Investigate non-conformances, food safety incidents and customer complaints, and implement effective corrective actions.




- Work with our Product Development Manager on ingredient specifications, raw material quality and new product requirements.
- Manage our Approved Supplier Program.
- Review and approve product labels for compliance with FSANZ requirements, including Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL).
- Deliver practical food safety training to production, warehouse and operations teams.
- Build a strong food safety culture through clear processes, good communication and a practical, hands-on approach. What we're looking for You'll need to be confident working independently, comfortable making decisions and able to balance regulatory requirements with the realities of food manufacturing. Ideally, you'll bring:
- A tertiary qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline.
- Solid experience in quality assurance within food manufacturing, ideally 1
- 3 years.
- Strong working knowledge of HACCP, the FSANZ Food Standards Code and NSW food safety legislation.
- Experience managing external food safety audits, with the confidence to take ownership of the process.
- Experience with export compliance and Approved Arrangements, or the ability to quickly develop expertise in this area.
- Strong attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to communicate effectively with people across the business. It would also be outstanding if you have:
- Experience with Halal certification and assurance programs.
- Experience managing allergens in a complex, multi-allergen manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with ERP systems for product specifications and master data management. The good stuff
- Lunch is provided every day, usually something home-cooked and Italian
- There's a free gym on site
- You'll get generous discounts on everything we make, plus plenty of free gelato Intertested? If you're an experienced QA professional who likes being close to the action, takes pride in getting things right and wants to make a genuine contribution to a growing food business, we'd love to hear from you.

📌 Quality Assurance Manager (Marrickville)
🏢 Gelato Messina
📍 Marrickville