At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure food safety and quality in a dynamic production kitchen environment.
- Company: Join Bayley & Sage, a growing retailer of premium fresh food.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, pension scheme, 40% store discount, and staff meals.
- Other info: Fast-paced kitchen environment with excellent training and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food quality while developing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in food production or quality control; HACCP knowledge preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: SW19 8ED, Gresham Way, Wimbledon Park, London
Are you a food scientist with practical experience in food retail and/or manufacturing? Do you want to join a dynamic company and support our growth with your technical expertise and eye for quality? Bayley & Sage is growing, and we currently have an exciting opportunity for a Quality Controller/ Technical Assistant to join our team based in SW London. We are retailers of premium fresh food, and we prepare our own range of salads, sandwiches, dips, soups, meal pots and breakfast pots and ready meals in our in‑house Production Kitchen. We currently supply freshly prepared meals and ready‑to‑eat items to 14 Bayley & Sage stores, which will require a more focused approach to quality and technical management in our business. We are also growing our range of own label products procured through our supplier base.
About the Role
To support the Technical Manager in ensuring the business meets its obligations with regard to food safety and quality.
Job Summary
We are seeking a detail oriented and proactive Quality Controller/ Technical Assistant to join our Technical Department, ensuring that all Ready‑to‑Eat (RTE) products meet the highest food safety, hygiene, and quality standards. The successful candidate will play a key role in daily production checks, documentation, and compliance with food safety regulations.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform routine quality checks throughout the production process (from raw material handling to final product packaging).
- Monitor hygiene, temperature controls, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) within the kitchen.
- Ensure compliance with HACCP, food safety standards, and internal quality protocols.
- Record and report any non‑conformances or deviations in quality or safety procedures.
- Conduct daily pre‑operational checks of equipment, surfaces, and production areas.
- Verify correct labeling, expiry dates, and packaging integrity of finished products.
- Support traceability by ensuring all ingredients and products are accurately logged.
- Communicate effectively with kitchen staff and management on any quality concerns.
- Assist in training kitchen team members on hygiene, food handling, and quality standards.
- Participate in internal audits and support corrective/preventive actions.
- Conduct routine microbiological sampling of products.
- Carry out regular environmental swabbing to ensure hygiene compliance.
Desirable Qualifications and Requirements
- Previous experience in food production or quality control, ideally in a ready‑to‑eat environment.
- Understanding of HACCP, food safety regulations, and hygiene standards.
- HACCP Level 2 or 3 certification (company will provide training if not already certified).
- Attention to detail and problem‑solving skills.
- Good communication and reporting abilities.
- Physically fit to work in a fast‑paced kitchen environment.
- Ability to work early shifts (starting at 6 AM).
Work Environment
Production kitchen handling chilled, ready‑to‑eat meals. Requires use of PPE and adherence to strict hygiene practices.
What We Offer
- Pension scheme
- 28 days holiday
- 40% store discount
- Staff meals
- Training & Development
Schedule
Day shift, Weekend availability
Work Authorisation
United Kingdom (required)
Work Location
In person
Quality Controller/ Technical Assistant employer: Bayley & Sage
Contact Detail:
Bayley & Sage Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Controller/ Technical Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those working in quality control or technical roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of HACCP and food safety regulations. We want you to show off your expertise and passion for quality control, so practice answering common interview questions related to these topics.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in the interviewer’s mind and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Quality Controller position.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing the job! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Bayley & Sage.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Controller/ Technical Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in food safety and quality control. We want to see how your skills match the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant experience!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you’re passionate about food quality and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: Since this role is all about quality, make sure to demonstrate your attention to detail in your application. Whether it’s through specific examples or your writing style, we want to see that you take pride in your work.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bayley & Sage
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and Good Manufacturing Practices. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the importance of quality control in a food production environment.
✨Show Your Attention to Detail
Prepare examples from your past experience where your attention to detail made a difference. Whether it was catching a labelling error or ensuring compliance with hygiene standards, having specific stories ready will demonstrate your proactive approach to quality management.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves liaising with kitchen staff and management, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might be asked how you would handle a quality concern, so think about how you would communicate effectively to resolve issues while maintaining a positive team dynamic.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. They might ask how you would conduct a pre-operational check or respond to a non-conformance. Think through these processes beforehand so you can showcase your practical knowledge and problem-solving skills.