At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the QA team, ensuring top-notch quality and compliance in berry packing.
- Company: Join Driscoll's, the global leader in fresh berries with a rich farming heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate across departments and champion health, safety, and hygiene standards.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on quality assurance in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in the fresh produce sector and strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the Opportunity
Are you passionate about quality and ready to take the next step in your career within the fresh produce industry?
This is a Maidstone based position that also requires you to visit fields during UK production season. You will build close working relationships with colleagues across Quality, Technical, Procurement, Sales, Operations, Production and Allocations, as well as with our growers and other external stakeholders.
In this role, you will combine the daily supervision and development of our QA team with practical quality assurance activities. You will help ensure that our quality standards are consistently applied throughout the supply chain, from grower and harvest through intake and packing to the final customer.
Responsibilities
As our QA Supervisor, you will support the day-to-day management of the QA team and help ensure appropriate QA coverage across operational areas and working hours.
Your main responsibilities will include:
Supervising, supporting and training members of the QA team
- Helping coordinate staffing levels, annual leave and other absences
- Ensuring compliance with customer specifications, quality standards and standard operating procedures
- Monitoring quality at grower, harvest, intake and operational stages
- Identifying and communicating non-conformances to Technical, Procurement, Sales and Operations
- Working closely with production management to ensure packing procedures are followed correctly
- Collaborating with allocation and production teams to ensure the correct pallets and quality standards are allocated to customers
- Providing clear and timely feedback to growers, Procurement and Sales regarding fruit arrivals and quality performance
- Managing fruit quality and labelling issues and ensuring these are documented correctly
- Reviewing quality data, identifying trends and supporting corrective actions
- Supporting and covering for the QA Manager when required
- Contributing to continuous improvement across quality and operational processes
- You will also play an important role in protecting food safety, legality, authenticity, product quality and the integrity of the Driscoll’s brand. This includes maintaining high standards relating to health and safety, hygiene, security and the environment
Candidate Profile
You will also play an important role in protecting food safety, legality, authenticity, product quality and the integrity of the Driscoll’s brand. This includes maintaining high standards relating to health and safety, hygiene, security and the environment.
What you bring
We are looking for someone who combines strong quality knowledge with a practical and collaborative approach.
You will ideally bring:
- Extensive experience in a comparable quality assurance role
- Previous experience within soft fruit, fresh produce or a similar fast-paced food environment
- The ability to supervise, train and motivate a QA team
- Strong communication skills and confidence working with colleagues across different departments
- The ability to recognise quality risks and translate them into pragmatic solutions
- A well-organised approach and the ability to manage several priorities at the same time
- Strong attention to detail and the confidence to address quality concerns when needed
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Experience within the soft fruit industry would be particularly valuable for this position.
How you will work
This is a field-based UK position that also requires you to work regularly from our Maidstone operations. You will build close working relationships with colleagues across Quality, Technical, Procurement, Sales, Operations, Production and Allocations, as well as with our growers and other external stakeholders.
You will report to the QA Operations Manager.
QA Supervisor in Maidstone employer: Driscoll's
Driscoll’s Maidstone is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and safety are paramount. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have opportunities to enhance your skills through training and collaboration with experienced professionals. The late shift allows for a unique work-life balance, making it an attractive option for those seeking meaningful employment in a supportive and fast-paced setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land QA Supervisor in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a QA Supervisor role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Driscoll's values and mission. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely passionate about their commitment to quality and sustainability in the berry business.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a QA Supervisor, you'll need to connect with various teams. Role-play common interview questions with a friend to boost your confidence and ensure you can articulate your thoughts clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Driscoll's team and ready to dive into the world of quality assurance.
We think you need these skills to ace QA Supervisor in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Role Inside Out:Before you start writing your application, make sure you really understand what the QA Supervisor role entails. Dive into the job description and highlight how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and skills mentioned. This will show us that you're genuinely interested and a great fit!
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your past roles, focus on your hands-on experience in the soft fruit or fresh produce sector. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've tackled challenges and contributed to quality assurance. We love seeing real-life applications of your skills!
Keep It Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. Remember, we want to see your personality shine through, so don’t be afraid to let your voice come across!
Apply Through Our Website:Once you’ve polished your application, head over to our website to submit it. This ensures it gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it’s super easy! We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table.
How to prepare for a job interview at Driscoll's
✨Know Your Berries
Before the interview, dive deep into Driscoll's products and their quality standards. Familiarise yourself with their customer specifications and packing requirements. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you answer questions about how you can ensure every berry-packed pallet meets expectations.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've tackled challenges in quality assurance. Highlight your proactive approach to crafting effective solutions and how you’ve driven continuous improvement in previous roles. This will resonate well with their need for a business-savvy problem solver.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, both in writing and verbally. Since the role requires exceptional communication skills, consider role-playing common interview questions with a friend. This will help you build rapport and demonstrate your ability to connect with various teams.
✨Emphasise Your Organisational Skills
Be ready to discuss how you manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. Share specific strategies or tools you use to stay organised and ensure timely delivery of projects. This will highlight your ability to thrive under pressure, which is crucial for the QA Supervisor role.
