At a Glance
- Tasks: Support food safety and quality standards in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Company: Hughes Group, a trusted name in fresh mushrooms and plant-based products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual reviews, wellbeing support, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Enjoy a positive culture with regular social events and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a growing FMCG business focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Qualification in Food Science or 2 years experience in the food industry.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About Hughes Group
With over 65 years of experience, Hughes Group is a trusted name in fresh mushrooms and innovative plant-based products across the UK. We work in close partnership with leading retailers and food service providers and are known for our quality, reliability, and customer-first approach. While we’re proud of our heritage, our focus is firmly on the future. As a growing FMCG business, we’re investing in innovation, sustainability, and most importantly, our people.
The Role
The Technical Assistant will support the Technical and Quality team in maintaining food safety, quality standards, and compliance within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The role involves coordinating laboratory testing, audits, documentation, and cross-functional communication to ensure technical operations run efficiently and effectively.
Hours: 40 hours / Monday - Friday / 08:30 - 17:00
Contract: Fixed Term Contract 12 months
Salary: Competitive (DOE)
Reports to: Technical Manager
Location: Dungannon
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate laboratory testing activities, including sample submissions, scheduling, result review, and maintenance of testing records and documentation.
- Support investigations into out-of-specification (OOS) results, including retesting coordination and corrective action follow-up.
- Monitor microbiological and nutritional testing data to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
- Provide Quality Control (QC) and technical support across operations, including management of Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs).
- Conduct routine audits, maintain compliance trackers, and support audit preparation, site visits, and follow-up actions.
- Assist with food safety validations, plant performance reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Communicate technical, food safety, and quality updates across departments and maintain relevant presentations and documentation.
- Coordinate calibration schedules, maintain equipment records, and arrange repairs for technical equipment.
- Manage technical purchasing activities, including purchase orders, invoice reconciliation, and laboratory procurement.
- Support stock control, pest management processes, KPI reporting, and general QA and technical administration activities.
Essential Criteria
- Qualification in Food Science, Technical, Quality related discipline OR a minimum of 2 years experience in the food industry.
- Experience in a production, technical, or quality role.
- Experience working within a team environment.
- Good standard of written and spoken English.
- Strong organisational and communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure, prioritise tasks, and maintain attention to detail.
- IT literate, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels.
Desirable Criteria
- Additional training or certifications in food safety or quality systems.
- Experience working in an FMCG environment.
- Part-time job or other employment experience demonstrating workplace exposure.
- Experience using technical or quality systems/databases.
- Proactive mindset with the ability to identify improvements.
Our Benefits
- Annual Salary Review.
- Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Positive, inclusive company culture with regular social events (annual BBQ, Christmas party, employee raffle).
- Free on-site parking.
Technical Assistant in Dungannon employer: Hughes Mushrooms
Contact Detail:
Hughes Mushrooms Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Assistant in Dungannon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Hughes Group. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Hughes Group’s values and recent projects. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for food safety and quality standards in the FMCG sector.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to teamwork and problem-solving. We want to see how you handle pressure and prioritise tasks in a fast-paced environment.
✨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 us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Hughes Group family.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Assistant in Dungannon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Technical Assistant role. Highlight your relevant experience in food science or quality control, and don’t forget to mention any specific skills that match the job description. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food safety and quality standards. Share examples of how you've contributed to similar roles in the past. We love seeing enthusiasm and a personal touch!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since the role involves cross-functional communication, make sure to demonstrate your strong organisational and communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and don’t hesitate to show off your ability to work under pressure!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hughes Mushrooms
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety and quality standards. Familiarise yourself with the specific regulations and practices relevant to the food industry, especially in an FMCG context. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also understand its importance.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in technical or quality roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've handled challenges, coordinated testing, or contributed to compliance efforts. This will help demonstrate your practical skills and how they align with the responsibilities of the Technical Assistant position.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves cross-functional communication, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Think about how you would explain complex technical information to someone without a technical background. This will highlight your ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the company's approach to innovation and sustainability in the food sector. This shows your genuine interest in the company and the role, and it gives you a chance to assess if their values align with yours.