Andrew S. Watson
Cullompton,Devon
Summary
Accomplished professional specializing in technological leadership, strategic innovation, and food safety auditing. Proficient in QMS implementation, GMP, and HACCP, with a focus on CAPA improvement plans to ensure compliance and enhance operational standards. Expertise in employee training, root cause analysis, and supplier monitoring, emphasizing food microbiology and pathogen control. NEBOSH qualified with a strong track record of monitoring KPIs and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
11
11
Certification
Work history
Food Safety and Compliance Consultant (Freelance)
Food Safety First
2021.08 - 2026.06
- Providing specialist consultancy to start ups and established manufacturers across the UK and India, supporting the development, implementation, and optimisation of food safety and quality management systems. Delivering expert guidance from concept stage through to final product launch, including certification readiness, site design, and process validation.
- Key Achievements
- Supported multiple start up and SME manufacturers in achieving BRCGS Global Standards and SALSA certification by conducting detailed pre audit gap analyses and advising on system improvements to meet all standard requirements.
- Delivered accredited Highfield RQF training programmes covering Food Safety, Internal Auditing, Health & Safety, and Train the Trainer, ensuring competency development aligned with Ofqual recognised standards.
- Advised on the design and layout of a new manufacturing facility in Dehradun, Northern India, enabling the production of a stabilised dairy product new to the regional market.
- Provided technical guidance on thermal processing, hygiene controls, CIP optimisation, and shelf life validation, establishing systematic approaches that strengthened product safety and regulatory compliance.
- Conduct supplier audits to assist SME supplier approval systems for GFSI conformance
Technical Manager
Lubborn Cheese (Lactalis UK)
Cricket St Thomas
2023.05 - 2026.04
- Led all technical, quality, laboratory, and hygiene functions to ensure the safety, legality, quality, and authenticity of all products manufactured on site. Directed food safety strategy, new equipment validation, and continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen Food Safety Culture. Oversaw internal auditing, specification compliance, and QMS document control. Acted as the primary technical contact for customers and all second and third party audits. Chaired the HACCP team and ensured full alignment with regulatory and retailer requirements.
- Mold Ripened Soft Cheese Manufacturer
- Key Achievements
- Implemented a comprehensive pathogen control plan following the April 2023 product recall, including redesigned sampling plans, preventive and corrective actions, positive release protocols, and full staff pathogen awareness training.
- Simplified and modernised the Quality Systems Manual, ensuring full compliance with retailer expectations and improving usability across departments.
- Established a robust internal audit program aligned with BRCGS requirements and major retailer Codes of Practice, significantly improving audit readiness.
- Introduced cross functional GMP audit routines, raising site wide food safety standards and embedding stronger ownership across operational teams.
- Improved all customer second party audit outcomes from Red/Amber (Requires Improvement) to Green (Good), with a marked reduction in non-conformances raised.
Compliance Manager
Aston Manor Cider
Tiverton & West Midlands
2018.04 - 2021.08
- Managed all technical and compliance activities across three production sites, ensuring the safety, legality, quality, and authenticity of all products. Oversaw internal auditing & Supplier approval audits, specification and artwork approval, QMS document control, and customer/third party audit management. Chaired the HACCP team and provided expert guidance on VACCP and TACCP. Served as the main Site Health & Safety Representative and contributed to senior management meetings. Delivered accredited training as the organisation’s Training Director and tutor for food safety qualifications.
- Cider Brewery and Soft & Alcoholic Beverage manufacture
- Key Achievements
- Successfully led the transition from BRCGS Food Safety Issue 7 to Issue 8, maintaining the site’s AA
- Grade and expanding the certification scope to include non-alcoholic beverages.
- Introduced photographic Standard Operating Procedures and Hygiene Procedures, improving clarity, consistency, and training effectiveness across operational teams.
- Developed and implemented the Aston Manor Cider Group Food Safety Culture Plan, including staff benchmarking, photographic SOPs, and the introduction of Ofqual accredited training to raise competency levels.
- Provided expert support to HACCP, VACCP, and TACCP teams across the group, strengthening product safety, authenticity, and regulatory compliance.
- Established the Aston Manor group as a Highfield Training Centre, enabling delivery of accredited Food Safety, Internal Auditing, Health & Safety, and Train the Trainer programs to RQF standards.
Technical & Quality Manager
WESTERN COMMODITIES
Willand
2015.11 - 2018.04
- Led all technical and quality functions on site, ensuring full compliance with food safety legislation, retailer requirements, and customer specifications. Oversaw internal auditing, product sampling, complaint investigations, and non-conformance trending. Collaborated closely with second- and third-party auditors to maintain high standards of product safety and legality. Provided technical guidance to senior management and drove continuous improvement across production and hygiene processes.
- Dried Fruit Importer and Processor.
- Key Achievements
- Assessed and improved quality performance through physical product checks, statistical sampling, and customer feedback analysis, strengthening overall process control.
- Developed, implemented, and maintained traceability systems and production procedures, optimising quality activities across both existing and newly expanded facilities.
- Evaluated current and NPD products to ensure compliance with all quality standards throughout the production process.
- Reviewed and approved retail packaging to ensure compliance with UK legislation, reducing packaging-related errors and improving accuracy.
- Conducted staff assessments and delivered site-specific training, including the creation of a HACCP awareness programme to raise competency levels.
- Played a key role in developing the site’s Quality Management System, including prerequisite programmes and SOPs for production and hygiene, ensuring efficient and compliant operations.
- Provided leadership to HACCP and TACCP teams, strengthening the safety, legality, and authenticity of all products.
Education
Master of Science - Global Food Technology
CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Cardiff10.2023
Bachelor of Science - Food Manufacturing Technical Management
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
Holbeach07.2018
Level 3 Award in Education & Training -
EXETER COLLEGE
FdSc Food Studies -
Plymouth University
Stoke Climsland07.2015
Skills
- Technological leadership
- Decision-making confidence
- Strategic innovation
- Food safety auditing
- Process compliance
- Employee training
- Root cause analysis
- QMS implementation
- GMP and HACCP knowledge
- CAPA improvement plans
- Food microbiology and pathogen control
- NEBOSH qualified
- Supplier approval and monitoring
- Performance KPI monitoring
Certification
- BRCGS Third Party Auditor, Food Issues 7, 8, 9 | BRCGS EDUCATE | 2016 - 2022
- BRCGS Professional status| BRC EDUCATE Online | Mar 2019
- Root Cause Analysis | BRCGS EDUCATE in Birmingham | Mar 2019
- Risk Assessment | BRCGS EDUCATE in Birmingham | Mar 2019
- Validation & Verification | BRCGS EDUCATE in Birmingham | Mar 2019
- National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety | NEBOSH | Dec 2018
- Fire Warden Training | FIRE WATCH | Jul 2023
- Intermediate Threat and Vulnerability Assessment | CAMPDEN BRI | Apr 2017
- Food Heat Process Validation | CAMPDEN BRI | Apr 2015
- Level 4 Managing HACCP in Food Manufacturing | FDQ | Mar 2015
- Level 4 Managing Food Safety | HIGHFIELD QUALIFICATION
Accomplishments
- Evaluated, updated, and strengthened Quality Management Systems across Lubborn, Aston Manor Cider, and Western Commodities by developing HACCP plans, prerequisite programmes, and conducting internal and supplier audits, achieving AA+ BRCGS grades at all sites.
- Implemented a comprehensive pathogen control plan at Lubborn, including full sampling-plan redesign, policy and procedure updates, corrective/preventative actions, positive-release protocols, and full-site pathogen awareness training.
- Delivered employee induction and specialist Highfield RQF training (Food safety Levels 2–4, HACCP Levels 2–4, allergens, chemicals, internal auditing, Training & Instruction), ensuring consistent production of safe, high-quality food across multiple manufacturing environments.
- Introduced enhanced foreign body control systems and modernised cleaning processes, improving hygiene standards while reducing operational costs.
- Built deep technical expertise in microbiology, chemical analysis, hygiene verification, traceability, QMS implementation, HACCP, and internal auditing to meet Global Food Safety Standards.
- Advised Western Commodities and Tamar Foods on process-flow optimisation, increasing productivity, reducing waste, and improving product quality and safety.
- Developed and implemented pathogen detection and prevention plans, including fabrication improvements, targeted hygiene controls, biofilm eradication strategies, and disinfection protocols.
- Introduced ATP hygiene verification at Tamar Foods and Lubborn, and supported development of an inline production process to meet Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and M&S requirements following the horse-meat food fraud incident.
- Collaborated directly with major UK retailers (M&S, Waitrose, Tesco, Co-op, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl) and manufacturers (Samworth Brothers, Premier Foods, Heinz, ABF), leading all second- and third-party audits and maintaining strong technical and commercial relationships.
Affiliations
- Playing Bass guitar
- Coastal and hill walking
- Cooking
- Painting
- quizzes
Languages
English
Proficient (C2)
References
References available upon request.
Additional Experience
- Interim Technical Manager (Dairy) | Lanage Farm | Plympton
- Interim Regional Technical Manager (Red Meat Slaughter and primary cutting) | Dumbia Meats | Devon / Cornwall
- Lead Quality Assurance Technician(Bakery, Ready meals & desserts) | Tamar Foods | Callington
- Interim Technical & Quality Manager (Alcoholic beverages) | Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm | Penhallow
- Baker | SWEETMANS BAKERY | Morriston
- Foundry Supervisor | BRITONFERRY | Neath
- Baker | TG DAVIS BAKERY | Mumbles
- Trainee Baker | BRYN MAER BAKERY | Clydach
Timeline
Technical Manager
Lubborn Cheese (Lactalis UK)
2023.05 - 2026.04
Food Safety and Compliance Consultant (Freelance)
Food Safety First
2021.08 - 2026.06
Compliance Manager
Aston Manor Cider
2018.04 - 2021.08
Technical & Quality Manager
WESTERN COMMODITIES
2015.11 - 2018.04
Master of Science - Global Food Technology
CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science - Food Manufacturing Technical Management
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
Level 3 Award in Education & Training -
EXETER COLLEGE
FdSc Food Studies -
Plymouth University