QA Technician

We are seeking a QA Technician to support quality assurance activities across our production/site operations. You will carry out routine checks, inspections, testing, and documentation to ensure products meet internal standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements. This role suits someone with strong attention to detail, confidence in decision‑making, and the ability to work effectively with production teams.

What you’ll be doing:

• Product Quality
  • Conducting quality inspections of our finished products, trial samples, and end-of-life products across all lines, both fresh and frozen, as per schedule and on request.
  • Leading bun scoring sessions on site and carrying out product quality checks in collaboration with colleagues.
  • Verifying core and third-party products against customer specifications at the start and end of life, as well as throughout their shelf life.
  • Highlighting any product quality or food safety issues to the person in charge of production and leading risk assessments and root cause analyses, ensuring incident reports are completed accurately and promptly.
  • Playing an active role in releasing or quarantining affected products or raw materials, ensuring the correct and timely completion of relevant documentation.
  • Communicating bun score improvements to the Quality Manager and Site Team.
  • Collecting samples of raw materials, finished products, environmental and nutritional samples as per set schedules and when required.
  • Assisting with bun sample selections for Bun Cuttings and training sessions, including Bake off, as well as following on from first production.
• Food Safety
  • Championing for food safety, hygiene, and quality standards, aiming to achieve corporate audit results and spreading these standards throughout the bakery.
  • Carrying out thorough GMP, Food Safety, and Food Security Audits, including root cause analysis, and ensuring actions are verified once completed.
  • Conducting audits for Foreign Objects, Blue Plasters, Glass, and Plastic, and verifying the actions once completed.
  • Ensuring actions from internal audits are recorded, and corrective actions are followed up by the relevant departmental manager.
  • Participating in data analysis for RedZone and interpretation of bun scoring sessions, action trackers, and corrective action completion.
  • Verifying checks on RedZone as per set schedules and frequency, and ensuring all CCP and processes are adhered to.
  • Verifying labels, products, packaging, and process specifications to ensure quality and legality compliance.
  • Verifying production process records on RedZone and ensuring issues are reported and corrected promptly.
  • Participating in hygiene verification, including swabbing of production lines, collecting water samples, and setting up airplates.
  • Conducting verification checks of process parameters, dough weights, bake out weights, as and when required.
  • Conducting Mock recall, Traceability and Mass Balance using SAP exercises system, generating reports, issuing non-conformances, and following up to ensure compliance.
  • Generating and communicating reports as required for bun scores, KPI, ATCQ, Action tracking, and others.
  • Coordinating customer complaints, contacting restaurants, and conducting investigations to assist in reducing customer complaints and identifying the root cause of problems.
  • Assisting in completing system audits, reporting findings, and following up to ensure compliance.
  • Generating weekly reports and updating Notice boards in a timely manner.
  • Conducting product assessment training for new starters and refresher training to ensure full compliance with customer requirements.
  • Managing and scheduling retests for any OOS results, providing corrective actions, and root cause analysis.
• Audits
  • Being a key player in maintaining our SQMS, AIB, BRC, and 3rd Party accreditations, working closely with site colleagues and external accreditation bodies.
• Visits
  • Actively assisting in preparation for VIP visits to ensure a good outcome.
• Calibration
  • Being responsible for the weekly calibration of all temperature probes and scales used within the bakery, following set procedures.
  • Handling the calibration and cleaning of bun and muffin toasters as per set procedures.
  • Verifying and/or calibrating any equipment as per set procedures.

What we’re looking for:

We’re on the lookout for someone who carries a positive ‘can do’ and ‘will do’ spirit. We value strong communication skills, both in writing and face to face. Attention to detail is key, and a dash of creativity is always appreciated. We admire those who bring an organised and methodical approach to their work. Above all, we are looking for people who are proactive, flexible, and wholeheartedly dedicated to their work. We’re seeking someone with a solid educational background at the GCSE level, ideally with a qualification in Food or Quality Assurance. If you’ve completed HACCP Level 3 and Food Safety Level 3 training, and have Internal Auditor Training, you’re already ticking our boxes but these are not essential. In terms of skills and experience, we’re looking for someone who has had their hands in the fast-paced world of FMCG. Proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint is essential and experience of using SAP would be beneficial. A knack for problem-solving and a genuine interest in QA are key to thriving in this position.

Working here:

We work an 8-hour shift pattern, 5 out of 7, covering day twilight and night shifts. The ability to manage change and work effectively under pressure is crucial. Comfort with working at heights and in an environment involving flour and dust is important. We appreciate flexibility, especially when it comes to adjusting working hours at short notice. A willingness to assist with extra duties during high holidays or audit season is greatly appreciated. We offer a competitive salary of £35,000 per annum. Our benefits package includes a company pension scheme, life insurance and income protection. We provide free on-site parking. You’ll enjoy 33 days of holiday each year. We support a healthy lifestyle with our cycle to work scheme, Employee Assistance Program, Annual Health Checks, and free eye tests. We believe in ongoing development and investment in our people. We foster a sense of community with family social events and activities.