QC Shift Leader Location: On-site, EMG factory Contract: 1-Year Fixed Term Shifts: Monday to Friday, alternating bi-weekly between 6am–2pm and 2pm–10pm

Changing the world of pet food for good

We’re Tails.com, a dog food subscription company with a big difference. We create truly tailored food for each and every dog we serve. We start by asking people a few simple questions about their dog. Then we use that information to create their dog’s unique Tails.com recipe – so their dog gets exactly the nutrition they need, in the taste they love, delivered to their door every month. It’s clever stuff.

We’ve got bold plans. Having created an entirely new category in pet food, we’re now scaling fast – backed by Purina, one of the world’s largest pet food companies. You’ll join a bunch of smart people working towards the same goals – and a bunch of smart-ish dogs, all working on their own thing.

Together, we’ll change the world of pet food for good.

Build our brand

We’re building an international brand, fast. We set ambitious goals. We challenge and support each other in equal measure. At the pace we’re moving, we prefer to test ideas and learn quickly rather than spend months building a business case. That means we celebrate when things go right, and we learn when things go wrong.

The role

We’re seeking a passionate and detail-oriented Quality Control Shift Leader (QCSL) to join our Quality Team. In this shift-based role, you’ll play a vital part in upholding our high standards of product quality and food safety, ensuring we consistently meet our brand promise. As the Quality Control Shift Leader, you’ll work closely with the Factory Quality Technologist to support the development and implementation of the Quality Management System. This role is perfect for an individual with hands-on experience in food safety or manufacturing quality control, who is ready to take on a leadership position and make a meaningful impact on product quality and operational excellence.

The Quality Control Shift Leader will be responsible for coordinating and implementing our quality processes and procedures in the factory. You will get the opportunity to work with a team of QC operators and a production team, where you can bring forward ideas.

You will be responsible for:

Lead QC Operations

• Oversee quality checks from goods-in through to final product, ensuring compliance with SOPs and specifications.

• Receiving reported issues and raising nonconformity reports with suppliers.

Investigate & Resolve Issues

• Manage product complaints, non-conformances, and Q&FS incidents—taking corrective actions quickly and effectively.

Sampling & Testing

• Coordinate product, environmental, and water sampling, ensuring timely lab submissions and results follow-up.

Drive Continuous Improvement

• Lead GMP and Glass and plastic inspections, monitor hygiene standards, and support pest control and housekeeping practices.

• Ensure all Quality Control team members are fully trained, competent, and equipped to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

• Lead regular performance reviews and support individual development plans.

• Collaborate with Production and other departments to ensure all factory personnel are trained in relevant quality procedures and standards.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Production, Technical, and Supply Chain teams to keep everything running smoothly and in line with our quality strategy.

What You’ll Bring:

• Proven experience in a QA/QC role, ideally within food manufacturing or a regulated production environment

• Working knowledge of food safety standards, GMP, and root cause analysis

• Confident leadership skills, with the ability to train, guide, and inspire a team

• A proactive, solution-focused approach with excellent communication skills

• Ability to manage Quality issues on site and communicate with cross-functional teams

• The ability to investigate, document, and maintain records accurately, with emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy

• Able to work on their initiative, being proactive and curious on the factory floor

• Ability to work independently once proper training has been given

• Capable of splitting your time between hands-on work and administrative tasks

• Ability to use Google Sheets, Docs, Slides and Email

• Good spoken and written English

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary, reviewed annually

• Flexible core hours, giving you true work life balance

• Hybrid role to ensure this role works for you

• 25 days of holiday (excluding bank holidays) which increases over time to a max of 27 days

• 9/10 day working week to enhance your wellbeing without a reduction in pay and leave allowance

• Optional 5 days unpaid leave and 1 paid volunteer day each year

• When you need a change of scenery, you can work from abroad 2 weeks every 6 months

• Health insurance for you, paid by Tails.com

• Extended maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay. 6 months at 70% pay

• Flexible paid care leave to support immediate dependants, people close to you and pets

• In house L&D team, with access to year round courses to help drive your development

• 50% discount on all Tails.com

• Discounted gym membership

What’s next?

If this sounds like it matches your experience and what you’d love to do, we can’t wait to hear from you! If you’re unsure whether you fit our criteria exactly, please get in touch anyway. And because we believe that diverse teams perform better, we’d especially love to hear from you if you’re from an under-represented demographic.

Here’s a taster of how our recruitment process works:

1. Once you have applied your CV will be reviewed by the Talent Acquisition Team.

2. Initial Interview (30 minutes) If selected, you’ll be invited to a virtual call with the Hiring Manager to discuss your background, skills, and what excites you about the role.

3. On-site Panel Interview (2 hours) If you progress to the next stage, you’ll be invited to our Factory for an in-person panel interview. This is a great opportunity to meet the team, learn more about the role, and share your ideas and experience

Our Commitment

We’re proud to be an active equal opportunity employer. We want to give everyone a fair chance to join us in changing the world of pet food for good. We do this by conducting a structured recruitment process for all candidates, as well as actively promoting our roles to communities that are under-represented at Tails.com.

During your interview process you’ll meet some of our team with varying levels of responsibility and experience. We want to give every candidate a fair interview process and if you need any reasonable adjustments made, please let us know.

Department

Operations

Locations

East Midlands Gateway