Quality Technologist in Milton Keynes

Deliciously Ella, Organix and Goodies are a part of Hero, a global food company founded in 1886 in Switzerland. With a portfolio of trusted brands in the Growing Up and Adult categories, Hero delivers high-quality, great tasting food rooted in natural goodness. Guided by the mission “To delight Consumers through honest Goodness in every Bite”, the company values high performance, integrity and a commitment to sustainability and people. Hero is a Great Place to Work. Our offices are in sunny Bournemouth and the heart of London, and our Deliciously Ella factory is in Milton Keynes where passionate teams produce the food you love.

We’re looking for a Quality Technologist to support the Quality Manager in maintaining and continuously improving the Food Safety and Quality Management System. You will ensure compliance with regulatory, customer and internal standards, and deputise for the Quality Manager in their absence.

Scope of the role will be to:

• Support crisis management and risk assessment
• Manage customer complaints and corrective actions
• Review artwork for legal and technical accuracy
• Lead or support supplier approval and monitoring

Key relationships internally include the UK Management team, Project Management team, Marketing & Sales teams, Consumer Care Manager, and Supply Chain. External relationships will include HERO teams (R&D, Quality TPM, Quality Excellence, Procurement, Spec Management), Certification Bodies such as BRCGS and Soil Association, Industry experts (BSNA, FSA, CCFRA), and Customers. You will have sole responsibility for the UK and Ireland product safety and quality requirements, whilst being part of the wider Hero Quality teams. Familiarity with regulations for organic and baby food products is desirable.

Relevant Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support to the Quality Manager in maintaining the Food Safety and Quality Management System.
• Assist with implementation of quality objectives and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare documentation, reports and data analysis to support management review.
• Deputise for the Quality Manager during periods of absence, ensuring continuity of critical food safety and quality activities.
• Act as a key point of contact for internal and external quality-related matters when required.

BRC [GFSI] Agents & Brokers Certification Management

• Support Quality Manager with implementation of the BRC Agents & Broken quality management system (monitor review dates and report to relevant departments).
• Support and collaborate with the wider internal teams responsible for maintaining the standard.
• Support on annual audit for the UK.

Designated internal auditor

• Conduct internal audits according to the audit schedule.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards, internal procedures and customer requirements.
• Document findings and manage corrective action follow-up to timely closure.

QMS

• Maintain and monitor the Quality Manual, including policies, procedures and records.
• Track review dates and ensure documentation remains current and controlled.
• Support Quality Manager with ongoing improvement of the QMS.
• Complete and maintain customer technical questionnaires and portal submissions.
• Provide technical support to customers through online systems.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of technical information provided.
• Collaborate with Customer Care Manager on Food Safety & Quality Complaints.
• Investigate food safety and quality-related complaints (excluding general service queries).
• Conduct root cause analysis in collaboration with TPM Quality Managers and ensure that corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) have been implemented by suppliers.

Hero Quality Teams

• Active collaboration with HERO quality teams, participation in regular meetings and implementation of requirements for local activities in the UK.
• Regular KPI and CPMU reporting.

Support with laboratory testing

• Arrange ordering of samples.
• Support with logging the samples into the portal and other reports.

Sustainability

• Ensure sustainable and ethical practices are a key function of your day-to-day role.
• Act as the interface with customers and consumers to understand Hero UK&I sustainability policies, plans and practices and communicate these with stakeholders, supporting delivery of initiatives.
• Ensure best practice is delivered on all projects so excessive packaging, wastage, poor supply-chain practices and potential write-off concerns are not incurred.

Values

We have strong values: Create Wow, Everyone Hero, Nourish Others, Take Responsibility. These are a standard of performance for this role.

About you

• Demonstrate sufficient experience in quality management within the food industry.
• Knowledge of BRCGS and IFS (GFSI) Quality Management Standards within the food industry.
• Experience in internal auditing and corrective action management.
• Experience in Food Manufacturing.
• Understanding principles of HACCP, TACCP and VACCP.
• Organisational skills (identifying and quickly resolving issues related to quality and food safety under multiple brands).
• Ability to multi-task across diverse areas.

What we offer

You will have the opportunity to be part of a mission-driven business at a hugely exciting point in our growth trajectory, where your voice is heard and you’re able to actively impact the business. Some great perks include:

• 25 days holiday (plus an extra day around your birthday).
• Free Deliciously Ella App access for you and five friends/family.
• Private medical insurance.
• Contributory pension scheme and access to free pension advice.
• Access to Grocery Aid employee assistance resources.
• Massages & Reflexology (Bournemouth office).
• Psychic Classes (London office).
• Nursery benefit.
• Bike to Work and Electric Car schemes.
• Car Park benefits (Bournemouth office).
• Hybrid working and flexible bank holidays.
• Team breakfasts and lunches, unlimited access to tea, coffee, milk, fruit and snacks from all UK brands (subject to availability).
• Learning opportunities and study leave.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

At Hero UK&I we are committed to cultivating and maintaining a culture that is inclusive and diverse. We celebrate differences and continually support all team members to be proud of who they are. We pride ourselves on equal employment opportunity regardless of gender, sex, age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or social class. We hire the best people based on an evaluation of their abilities and effectiveness, nothing else.