Inside Out | Traralgon East, VIC

Employment Type: Full-time

Reporting To: QA Manager, Inside Out Nutritious Goods Pty Ltd

About Us

At Inside Out, we're passionate about producing high-quality, innovative food and beverage products that Australians love.

As a fast-growing Australian company, we're constantly evolving, expanding our product range and finding new ways to deliver exceptional quality.

About the Role

Inside Out Nutritious Goods Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced and hands on Quality Assurance Manager to oversee quality assurance, quality control and day to day quality operations at our contract manufacturing partner based in Traralgon East, Victoria.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all onsite quality activities, with a particular focus on yoghurt manufacturing and dairy processing. This role requires strong technical knowledge of dairy and fermented products, particularly yoghurt production, alongside the ability to manage production-related quality matters, conduct investigations, coordinate product trials and ensure products consistently meet food safety and quality requirements.

You will lead a team of two onsite QC personnel and work closely with the contract manufacturing production team while maintaining regular communication and reporting to the Inside Out NG QA Manager. You will play a key role in ensuring effective quality management, production oversight and timely product positive release.

Key Responsibilities

1. Quality Assurance & Food Safety

- Manage and maintain the site's Quality Assurance and Food Safety systems in accordance with applicable Australian food regulations, FSANZ requirements and company standards.
- Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, food safety and quality requirements throughout manufacturing operations.
- Monitor and verify critical control points (CCPs), operational controls and quality parameters.
- Oversee raw material, in-process and finished product quality checks.
- Ensure product specifications, processing parameters and quality standards are consistently achieved.
- Manage non-conformances, deviations and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure timely closure of audit findings.

2. Yoghurt & Dairy Manufacturing

- Provide technical quality oversight of yoghurt manufacturing and dairy processing operations.
- Monitor yoghurt fermentation parameters, including incubation temperature, fermentation time, pH development and cooling requirements.
- Ensure appropriate control of cultures, ingredients, processing conditions and finished product characteristics.
- Investigate product quality issues such as inconsistent texture, viscosity, acidity, bitterness, syneresis and shelf-life performance.
- Work closely with production personnel to identify opportunities for process and product quality improvements.
- Support the development, validation and implementation of new products and manufacturing processes.

3.



Daily Quality & Production Operations

- Oversee daily quality activities and ensure adequate QC coverage across production operations.
- Monitor production activities and ensure quality checks are completed at the required stages.
- Review production and QC records to verify compliance with approved procedures and specifications.
- Provide regular production and quality updates to the Inside Out NG QA Manager.
- Identify and escalate production deviations, quality risks and food safety concerns promptly.
- Ensure production and quality documentation is completed accurately and maintained appropriately.

4. Product Trials & Continuous Improvement

- Coordinate and participate in product development, production and process trials.
- Monitor and document trial outcomes, including processing parameters, product characteristics and quality results.
- Work with production and technical teams to troubleshoot processing challenges.
- Identify opportunities to improve product consistency, manufacturing efficiency and quality performance.
- Prepare trial reports and communicate findings and recommendations to the Inside Out NG QA Manager.

5. Investigations & Corrective Actions

- Lead investigations into customer complaints, product defects, process deviations and non-conformances.
- Conduct root cause analysis and implement appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
- Investigate microbiological, physical, chemical and sensory quality issues.
- Coordinate product assessments, testing and shelf-life investigations where required.
- Ensure timely investigation reports and follow-up actions are communicated to Inside Out NG.

6. Product Positive Release & Reporting

- Manage the finished product positive release process in accordance with Inside Out NG requirements.
- Review relevant production records, QC results, microbiological results and product specifications before recommending or authorising release in accordance with delegated authority.
- Ensure products are placed on hold where results are unsatisfactory or quality requirements have not been met.
- Maintain clear and timely communication with the Inside Out NG QA Manager regarding production status, product holds, quality concerns and release approvals.
- Provide regular updates on production progress, quality performance, testing results and any outstanding issues.
- Ensure complete traceability and availability of relevant production and quality records.

7. Team Leadership

- Lead, supervise and support two onsite QC personnel.




- Allocate daily QC responsibilities and ensure adequate coverage of production activities.
- Provide technical guidance, coaching and training to QC team members.
- Monitor the performance and competency of the QC team.
- Promote a solid food safety and quality culture across the manufacturing site.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

- Previous experience in a Quality Assurance Manager, QA Supervisor or equivalent senior quality role within the food manufacturing industry.
- Strong hands-on experience in dairy manufacturing, with demonstrated experience in yoghurt production.
- Good understanding of yoghurt fermentation, culture management, pH control, cooling processes and finished product quality.
- Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, food safety systems and Australian food regulations, including relevant FSANZ requirements.
- Experience managing non-conformances, customer complaints, root cause investigations and corrective actions.
- Experience coordinating production trials, process validations and continuous improvement activities.
- Ability to interpret laboratory results, production records and product specifications.
- Proven experience leading and managing QC personnel.
- Strong communication, reporting, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Desirable:

- Tertiary qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology or a related discipline.
- Experience with FSSC 22000, SQF, or other recognised food safety management systems.
- Experience with microbiological testing, environmental monitoring and shelf-life assessments.
- Experience working with contract manufacturing operations and customer-specific quality requirements.

Employment Requirements

- Must have full working rights in Australia.
- Must have a valid driver's licence and own reliable means of transport, as the role is based at Traralgon East, Victoria.
- Must be available to work onsite and support production requirements, including occasional flexibility around production schedules where necessary.

What We Are Looking For We are looking for a proactive, technically strong and hands-on quality professional who can take ownership of onsite quality operations. The ideal candidate will have practical yoghurt manufacturing experience, strong leadership capabilities and the confidence to work closely with production teams while ensuring quality and food safety standards are consistently maintained.

This role will suit someone who enjoys being actively involved in manufacturing operations, solving technical challenges and driving quality improvements while working collaboratively with the broader Inside Out NG Quality team.

Apply NowIf you're are ready to be part of an exciting and growing Australian business, we'd love to hear from you! Please send your resume through to [email protected]

📌 QA Manager (Traralgon East)
🏢 Inside Out Nutritious Goods
📍 Traralgon East