QA Process Implementation Consultant

Location: Netherlands
Contract: 6 months
Start: ASAP
Industry: Vertical Farming / Controlled Environment Agriculture

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced QA Process Implementation Consultant to support a rapidly developing vertical farming business in the Netherlands.

The consultant will provide additional capacity to the existing team and take a hands-on role in setting up, implementing and embedding a robust Quality Management System (QMS) across the operation.

This is an ideal opportunity for a senior QA professional who enjoys working in a start-up/scale-up environment where processes and systems are still being developed.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and assess existing quality processes, documentation and controls.
• Design and implement a practical Quality Management System.
• Develop SOPs, work instructions, quality procedures and supporting documentation.
• Establish processes for quality control, traceability, non-conformance and CAPA.
• Implement quality controls across growing, harvesting, packing and production activities.
• Identify quality risks, process gaps and areas for improvement.
• Develop appropriate QA KPIs and reporting.
• Work closely with production, operations, R&D and other stakeholders.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and support corrective actions.
• Support the business in meeting relevant food safety, quality and customer requirements.
• Help prepare the operation for future customer, regulatory and certification audits.
• Train and coach internal teams on new quality processes.
• Ensure the QMS is practical, scalable and embedded into day-to-day operations.

Required Experience

• Strong background in Quality Assurance / Quality Management Systems.
• Demonstrable experience implementing or building quality systems from the ground up.
• Experience within food production, fresh produce, FMCG, agriculture, horticulture or another relevant production environment.
• Strong knowledge of SOPs, process mapping, CAPA, non-conformance and root-cause analysis.
• Understanding of food safety and quality standards.
• Ability to operate hands-on within a production environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of deliverables.

Desirable Experience

• Vertical farming or controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
• Horticulture or greenhouse production.
• Fresh produce.
• HACCP.
• BRCGS / IFS.
• ISO 9001 / ISO 22000.
• Food safety and traceability systems.
• Quality management software or digital traceability platforms.
• Experience supporting certification or customer audits.

Key Objectives

The successful consultant will help the business to:

• Establish a clear and structured QMS framework.
• Identify and close existing quality gaps.
• Standardise critical operational processes.
• Implement appropriate QA controls and documentation.
• Establish effective non-conformance and CAPA processes.
• Improve traceability and quality reporting.
• Develop quality KPIs and management reporting.
• Prepare the organisation for future audits and certification requirements.
• Transfer knowledge and capability to the permanent team.