At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure top-notch quality standards in food production and maintain hygiene.
- Company: Join Prima, a leading UK cheese supplier with a diverse team.
- Benefits: Employee Assistance Programme, 24/7 GP access, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Supportive environment that values your voice and ideas.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to excellence and food safety.
- Qualifications: Level 2 or 3 Food Safety & Hygiene Certificate preferred; relevant experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Employee Assistance Programme & 24/7 GP access
About Prima
Prima is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of cheese to the foodservice and food manufacturing sectors. With nearly 30 years of heritage, we export to over 55 countries and employ colleagues representing more than 20 nationalities across two sites. Prima North in Seaham is our core production facility and operational heartbeat. Prima South in Islington, London drives our commercial growth and brand presence.
The Opportunity
Are you passionate about quality and doing things the right way? We’re hiring a QA Technician who brings ambition, precision, and integrity to every task. You’ll be dependable, organised, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication is essential—you’ll speak up when standards aren’t met and work closely with the team to maintain exceptional levels of food safety and hygiene. We are looking for a QA Technician who shares our ambition for excellence, our motivation to grow, and our integrity in everything we do.
Key Responsibilities
- As part of our friendly and experienced quality team, you'll help ensure the highest product standards for our customers.
- As a QA Technician, your core responsibility is to conduct quality assurance checks during production, supporting continuous compliance and improvement.
- Duties include but are not limited to:
- Conducting line, metal detection, gas, seal, and blend checks during production
- Monitoring and controlling export production
- Conducting temperature checks
- Controlling plasters, knives, and PPE
- Support in control of chemicals, metal and foreign body in production area
- Overseeing of personal hygiene and general policing of production hygiene standards
- Supporting clean down procedures and hygiene verifications
- Conducting ATP and microbiological swabbing and product sample collection
- Supporting traceability and daily/weekly calibrations
- Managing rework and shift handover reports
- Taking first action on incidents related to food safety, quality, authenticity, and legality
What We’re Looking For
- Level 2 or 3 Food Safety & Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to achieve it)
- Basic Health & Safety training (e.g., COSHH, manual handling)
- GCSEs or equivalent, ideally including English, Maths, and Science
- Relevant experience in food production, QA, or technical roles is a plus, even if informal
- Competency with Microsoft Office or similar IT systems for basic reporting and data entry
Why Join Prima?
We believe that our people are our most valuable ingredient. We foster an environment of mutual respect, offer ongoing support, and encourage career development through training and internal progression. At Prima, your voice matters, your ideas are welcome, and your ambition is celebrated.
Diversity & Inclusion
We are proud of our inclusive and diverse workforce, people are the key to our success, we are committed to providing employees with the necessary support to excel during their career with Prima.
QA Technician in Seaham employer: Prima Cheese
Contact Detail:
Prima Cheese Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land QA Technician in Seaham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food production and QA sectors. Attend industry events or join online forums where you can connect with professionals. You never know who might have a lead on a job at Prima!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common QA Technician questions. Think about how your experience aligns with the responsibilities listed in the job description. Show them you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit for Prima!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a fantastic addition to the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Prima and being part of our quality-driven team.
We think you need these skills to ace QA Technician in Seaham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Quality: When writing your application, let us know how passionate you are about quality and doing things the right way. Share specific examples of how you've maintained high standards in previous roles or projects.
Be Organised and Dependable: We love candidates who are organised and dependable! Highlight your ability to manage tasks efficiently and how you’ve contributed to a smooth workflow in fast-paced environments. This will show us you’re ready for the role.
Communicate Clearly: Strong communication is key for us at Prima. Make sure your application reflects your ability to communicate effectively. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well, so we can see how you’d fit into our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the QA Technician role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prima Cheese
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on food safety and hygiene standards. Familiarise yourself with the Level 2 or 3 Food Safety & Hygiene Certificate content, as well as any relevant regulations. This will show that you're serious about quality and can hit the ground running.
✨Show Your Communication Skills
Since strong communication is key for this role, prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in past positions. Think about times when you had to speak up about standards or collaborate with a team to solve a problem—this will demonstrate your ability to maintain high-quality standards.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that test your knowledge of quality assurance checks and food safety practices. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios, like dealing with a potential food safety incident or conducting a temperature check. This will help you showcase your practical skills.
✨Emphasise Your Organisational Skills
As a QA Technician, being organised is crucial. Share examples of how you've managed multiple tasks or maintained records in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to stay on top of things in a fast-paced environment will resonate well with the interviewers.