Quality Assurance Technologist in Peterborough

Company IRCA Group is a leading international B2B provider of semi‑finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry and gelato markets, serving independent producers and large food manufacturers. Core products include chocolate, decorations, creams, inclusions, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other bakery/pastry ingredients. Headquartered in Italy, IRCA Group has a strong track record of growth over the last decade. It has 22 manufacturing facilities worldwide, 2,400+ employees, and €1 billion in revenues.

What We Offer

IRCA fosters a dynamic environment, embracing diversity and valuing diverse perspectives and international experiences, offering a stimulating context. We promote professional growth by providing tailor‑made development programs and career advancement opportunities locally and internationally. With locations worldwide, we offer the chance to work on international projects, collaborate across cultures, and gain a global perspective. Joining our team means becoming part of a global community of passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference.

If you are looking for:

• a competitive salary
• stimulating challenges
• the chance to contribute your ideas for process improvement in an ever‑growing company

IRCA is the right place.

Role Overview

This role requires a detail‑oriented and dedicated professional with strong expertise in quality assurance, capable of thriving in a fast‑paced and evolving environment. This role involves conducting product safety audits, managing quality‑related documentation, and ensuring adherence to industry best practices, regulatory standards, and customer specifications.

Key Responsibilities

Inspection and Testing

• Perform inspection and testing of finished products and raw materials in compliance with site quality standards.
• Review process control records to ensure conformance to food safety requirements and customer specifications.
• Complete calibrations of test equipment in accordance with prevailing standards.

Complaints & Continuous Improvement

• Assist in investigating complaints related to site production, reporting, evaluating returned materials, and implementing corrective actions.
• Facilitate and execute Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies such as 8‑Step Practical Problem Solving.

Standard Confirmation

• Monitor and enforce compliance with established quality and safety standards through structured verification processes.

Quality Inspection

• Perform routine factory‑based food safety and quality standards inspections, including GMP, hygiene verification audits, fabrication inspections, and foreign body inspections.
• Provide guidance and support to departments being audited to ensure understanding of required standards.

Quality / Technical Issue Resolution & Support

• Facilitate investigations and resolution of non‑conformances using problem‑solving tools (e.g., 3Cs, Fishbone, 8‑Step, etc.).
• Participate in Crisis Management processes when required.
• Analyse and report quality performance metrics (KPIs) and identify improvement opportunities.

Taste Panel Process

• Ensure the effective scheduling and facilitation of the taste panel process.

SAP & Stock Monitoring

• Daily monitoring and release of products post‑production and customer testing for dispatch.
• Manage stock movement to maintain product integrity and minimise dispatch errors.
• Provide customers with necessary product certificates.

Environmental Monitoring Programme

• Ensure timely completion of scheduled monitoring activities.
• Log all samples on the online system and order necessary consumables.
• Conduct retests and liaise with the hygiene manager regarding results and trend analysis.
• Review the programme annually with the hygiene and technical manager.

Allergen Management

• Conduct allergen management validation and verification in accordance with PRP management programmes.

Product Sampling

• Maintain the customer testing requirements folder.
• Collaborate with the NPI Technologist to keep testing requirements updated.
• File daily production samples, send samples to labs for testing, and liaise with the supply chain regarding timing issues.
• Check product quality and report out‑of‑specifications to the production manager.

Qualifications & Skills

Essential

• Proficient written, numerical, and verbal skills.
• Fluency in English language.
• Numerical ability to record, interpret, and analyse key process data.
• Proficient in MS Office Tools.
• Understanding of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
• Knowledge of ISO22000 Standards or equivalent certification standards.
• Experience in standardisation of processes.
• Food Safety Level 3.
• HACCP Level 3.

Desirable

• Diploma or higher qualification in Food Science or a related subject.
• Knowledge of TACCP.
• Knowledge of the BRC Global Food Standard and specific customer standards.

At Irca, we believe that diversity is a fundamental value and a source of strength and innovation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, nationality, or any other dimension of diversity, feel welcomed, valued, and respected and encourage people of all natures to apply.