Beyond Meat, Inc., otherwise known as Beyond The Plant Protein Company, is a plant protein company offering a portfolio of plant-based products made from simple ingredients without GMOs, no added hormones or antibiotics, and 0mg of cholesterol per serving. Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat's core products are designed to have the same taste and texture as animal-based meat while being better for people and the planet.
Role overview: The Contract Manufacturing Quality Manager - EU/UK is responsible for overseeing the quality performance of all external manufacturing partners across Europe, including the UK. This role ensures that all contract manufacturers operate in full compliance with company standards, EU/UK regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. The position leads qualification, ongoing performance management, issue resolution, and continuous improvement across the co-manufacturing network, while supporting product evaluations, shelf-life extensions, and production trials. Based either in the Enschede or Amsterdam area, this is an office-based role with 50-60% travel to co-manufacturers.
Responsibilities:
Contract Manufacturer Oversight
Lead qualification, onboarding, and periodic re-qualification of all EU/UK contract manufacturers
Ensure each site meets company quality standards, food safety requirements, and regulatory obligations
Maintain and enforce Quality Agreements aligned with operational and regulatory expectations
Experience with Quick Service Restaurant systems and qualifications a plus
Quality System Management
Verify that contract manufacturers maintain effective quality systems, including HACCP, GMP, allergen control, sanitation, traceability, and complaint management
Review and approve product specifications, process controls, and change management requests
Ensure adherence to company policies for document control, deviation management, and CAPA
Ingredient & Product Evaluation
Evaluate ingredients and finished products for shelf-life extension, including review of stability data, sensory results, and micro performance
Support product reviews and release decisions by assessing compliance with specifications, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations
Partner with Strategic QA to deliver accurate, complete, and customer-aligned specifications and quality expectations
Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
Lead quarterly business reviews with each co-manufacturer, including scorecard performance, audit findings, and improvement plans
Track and analyze key quality metrics (defects, non-conformances, micro results, customer complaints)
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen process capability and reduce quality risk
Issue Management & Escalation
Serve as the primary point of contact for product releases, quality incidents, deviations, and product non-conformances originating from EU co-manufacturers
Lead root cause investigations and ensure timely, effective CAPA implementation
Partner cross-functionally with Supply Chain, R&D, Regulatory, and Operations to resolve issues and prevent recurrence
Regulatory & Compliance
Ensure all products manufactured in the EU comply with applicable regulations (EU food safety legislation, labeling requirements, country-specific standards)
Support regulatory submissions, certifications, and customer audits as needed
Monitor emerging regulatory changes and assess impact to co-manufacturing operations
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Trials
Collaborate with R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain to support product and production trials at co-manufacturer sites
Ensure trial protocols, data collection, and quality assessments are executed consistently and aligned with company standards
Partner with Procurement and Strategic QA on new supplier evaluations and ongoing supplier performance management
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
7+ years of experience in Quality Assurance within food manufacturing, with at least 3 years managing contract manufacturers or external suppliers
Strong knowledge of EU food safety regulations, HACCP, GMP, and third-party certification schemes (BRCGS, IFS)
Demonstrated experience leading audits, investigations, and cross-functional quality initiatives
Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
Ability to travel across the EU to support co-manufacturer oversight
Strong operational discipline and attention to detail
Ability to influence without authority across diverse stakeholders
Proactive problem-solver with a continuous improvement mindset
Confident communicator who can represent Quality in high-stakes discussions
Fluent in English; fluency in Dutch is highly preferred; German or French is a plus
Beyond The Plant Protein Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
More info: This is a hybrid role based in Amsterdam, Netherlands (office-based with 50-60% travel to co-manufacturers). Apply via the link below. Beyond Meat reserves the right to defer or close this vacancy at any time.
