Raw Materials Quality Controller

Primary Location: BIGGLESWADE, United Kingdom

At Solina, our community of close to 5,000 people share a passion for food and live our entrepreneurial culture. We design customised savoury solutions for our clients operating in the food industry, food service, butchery and nutrition markets. With sustainability at the heart of our business model, we aim to produce food that is good in every sense of the word: delicious, nourishing, affordable, sustainable and convenient.

Solina is a fast-growing business, with around 50 production sites and R&D laboratories present in more than 19 countries mainly in Europe and North America. By constantly rethinking culinary solutions, we make food matter for people and the planet. If you're ready for a new adventure in a dynamic, expanding, passionate, international company, join us!

PLEASE NOTE: This role does not meet Home Office requirements for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship. Applicants must have existing authorisation to work in the UK.

Main Purpose of the Role:

• To ensure accurate, timely, and efficient verification and control of raw materials to agreed standards.
• To ensure supplier delivery documentation (including Certificates of Analysis) is reviewed, verified against raw material specifications, and approved prior to use.
• To manage raw material compliance, including verification testing, data trending, and escalation of non-conformances.
• To ensure LIMS, stock control systems, and raw material data records are accurate, complete, and audit ready.
• To support raw material quality risk assessments by reviewing analytical data and material specific risks to define and refine testing and verification.
• To ensure documentation is audit ready at all times.
• To ensure hygiene and cleanliness of equipment and working areas are to the required standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Laboratory Testing (Raw Materials): Daily testing of raw material samples using defined methodology and according to schedule. Ensure results are recorded accurately and any deviations from raw material specifications are identified and escalated to the supplier quality assurance (SQA) team for review and specification update where required. Ensure all equipment is maintained in good working order and verified/calibrated according to schedule. Data entry of results onto LIMS and Lab control systems. Confirm pass or fail status of raw materials and escalate as required; support release or rejection decisions.
• Data Management and Trending: Maintain accurate and up to date LIMS data, raw material records, and testing logs. Generate and maintain trend reports for key raw materials. Identify trends, deviations, and emerging risks and escalate appropriately. Support development and validation of raw material testing methods through structured data collection and analysis.
• Administration and Documentation Control: Daily maintenance of all laboratory and raw material documentation to ensure audit readiness. Verify and archive Certificates of Analysis and supplier documentation. Create and complete records of non-conforming raw materials and support investigations.
• General: Maintain clean and tidy equipment and working areas for availability at all times. Maintain storage and rotation of retained raw material samples (where applicable). Support supplier complaints and internal non-conformance investigations. Actively participate in relevant site and technical meetings. Maintain acceptable levels of laboratory consumables and initiate orders as required. Carry out any additional management request within the reasonable scope of the role. Engage proactively in support of other sites as reasonably required.

Candidate Profile:

• Educated to GCSE Level or equivalent.
• Experience in a Laboratory / QA role or similar.
• Must be able to reliably commute to place of work and/or other sites if required to do so within the role.
• Good verbal & written communication skills.
• Good level of numeracy skills.
• Strong awareness of Health & Safety.
• Good level of English both written and spoken.
• Able to work well with people of all levels within the organisation.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Demonstrate a responsible and proactive attitude.
• Be able to self-motivate.
• Commitment to team working.
• Understanding of equality, diversity & inclusion showing respect and dignity to all in the workplace.
• Communicates with courtesy and listens with respect to the views of others.
• Strong awareness and vigilant approach to Health & Safety, Quality, Food Safety and Safe Systems of Working.
• Commitment to align behaviours with the ‘Solina Way’.
• Driving licence and transport.

Benefits: Competitive benefits.

We are open to talents of all backgrounds. Our recruitment process is based on competences, and we openly welcome all candidates of all types according to our DEI Commitment.