Supplier Assurance Manager

Company Description

We are FBC UK, Fox's Burton's Companies ……And we bake the UK's most incredible biscuits (we might be slightly biased, but we will leave that for you to judge).

FBC UK was a match made in heaven, with two of the top UK biscuits manufacturers (Burton's Biscuits and Fox's Biscuits) coming together to create one unique, integrated company.

We are home to famous iconic brands, including Maryland, Fox's, Jammie Dodger & Rocky, to name just a few. We are proud manufacturing partners to some of the biggest UK retailers and household names. We bake our incredible biscuits at eight bakeries across the UK, located at Isle of Arran, Livingston, Blackpool, Llantarnam, Edinburgh, Kirkham, Batley & Dorset and our HQ in St Albans. Together, we employ circa 4,000 amazing colleagues across all our locations.

Whilst we know that we have delicious products we also know that that the key ingredient to our success is our people, and the passion we have for our brands. You could be the jammy to our dodger, party ring to our Fox's or the choc-chip to our Maryland? We knead people with innovative ideas, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the commitment to drive FBC UK to success.

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that feels empowered to build a fulfilling and successful career. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) we create a supportive environment for people to thrive and strive to have more positive impact.

We understand that having formal and on-the-job learning opportunities is key to our colleagues' professional and personal growth. We are committed to providing an environment where everyone can learn from each other and grow through a variety of learning experiences.

Our colleagues make our business special. With strong community values, we believe FBC UK is a more prosperous and fun place to work when people feel free to be themselves. We believe in the power of being authentic, entrepreneurial, and supporting each other whilst meeting our business goals.

About the Role

As Supplier Assurance Manager here at FBC UK, you'll lead quality assurance across raw materials, packaging, and indirect supplies. You'll manage supplier qualifications, control plans, and testing schedules, ensuring compliance with food safety and technical standards. Working cross-functionally, you'll resolve non-conformities, maintain approved supplier lists, and drive continuous improvement through data analysis and supplier collaboration. This role is key to protecting product integrity and strengthening our supply chain performance.

Main Responsibilities

Rules & Specifications

• Develops and issues quality standards for assigned categories, aligned with R&D and Food Safety guidance
• Ensures specifications are accurate, up-to-date, and maintained within FBC systems
• Defines appropriate testing frequencies and methods to uphold quality expectations

Supplier Selection & Management

• Supports supplier identification, evaluation, and qualification through inspections and sample testing
• Verifies supplier acceptance of specifications and approves vendors based on risk assessments
• Partners with Procurement to enhance supplier capabilities and drive quality improvement initiatives

Inspections

• Conducts and supports inspections of raw materials and packaging at FBC UK sites and supplier facilities
• Monitors supplier performance through quantitative and qualitative assessments
• Leads corrective action plans in response to inspection findings or testing issues

Food Safety & Regulation

• Collaborates with internal teams to update regulatory standards and sampling plans through risk analysis
• Ensures Food Safety and R&D requirements are embedded in quality methodologies and specifications

Acceptance & Compliance

• Oversees acceptance checks, storage conditions, and handling processes to meet Group quality standards
• Supports local teams in managing supplier disputes and returns, based on inspection and sampling outcomes

Who we are looking for

Qualifications

• Certified Lead Auditor
• HACCP Level 3
• Food Safety Level 3

Experience

• Proven experience in supplier assurance within an FMCG environment
• Hands-on experience conducting supplier audits and implementing corrective actions

Core Competencies

• Strong relationship-building skills across all levels
• Pragmatic and solutions-focused approach
• Excellent influencing and negotiation abilities
• Highly organised with strong prioritisation capabilities
• Skilled in creating and delivering impactful presentations
• Strong IT proficiency, including data analysis and reporting tools

Diversity Statement

FBC UK is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at FBC UK. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.