At a Glance
- Tasks: Audit and improve quality systems while ensuring food safety standards.
- Company: Join a leading food safety team at South West Larder.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous time off, free meals, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal development and career growth await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety and quality in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Food Safety qualification and experience in QA or Food Safety roles.
As Quality Assurance Assistant, you will audit, monitor and continuously improve quality systems and procedures across all operations. Working with the team on the ground, you’ll provide practical technical support while maintaining and promoting quality and food safety standards in line with South West Larder, customer, and legal requirements.
This role demands a strong focus on allergen management, including cross-contamination prevention, ingredient tracking, and accurate labelling compliance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Complete sampling activities to schedule including allergen, environmental, microbiological and hygiene swabbing.
- Support New Product Development (NPD) trials and product launches, including allergen management, shelf-life assessment, and organoleptic testing.
- Monitor all aspects of the company’s Allergen Management Plan, utilising the systems and audits that prevent allergen cross-contact and ensure accurate ingredient labelling.
- Support with complaints, incidents, or out-of-specification results to identify root causes and implement effective corrective and preventive actions
- Contribute to Technical KPI delivery through audits, investigations, and proactive improvement actions
- Monitor food production processes and carry out internal audits to ensure compliance with food safety, HACCP, and quality standards.
- Support with traceability audits, efficiently retrieving data and presenting findings clearly
- Participate in external audits carried out at South West Larder operational sites.
- Maintain records of audits, sampling, liaison and results.
- Travel across Client and company sites and ensure swabs are taken to the laboratory in a timely manner.
Essential Qualifications
- Food Safety qualification (level 2 or above) – or achieve within 30 days
- HACCP training certification – or achieve within 30 days
- Allergen Management certification – or achieve within 30 days
- Driving licence
- Previous experience in a QA or Food Safety role, with a strong understanding of SALSA, HACCP, food safety and hygiene standards
- Experience of hospitality and catering operations, standards and best practice
Essential Skills, Knowledge and Attributes
- A good level of HACCP knowledge
- A good knowledge of allergens
- A proactive, detail-focused approach with a natural curiosity to challenge and improve standards while working independently.
- Strong communication skills, able to engage confidently with colleagues at all levels
- Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to deadlines
- A collaborative mindset, working effectively within cross-functional teams
- Commitment to continuous improvement and personal development
- Highly organised with excellent planning and time-management skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong assessment and evaluation skills.
- Ability to analyse information and identify training needs.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
Additional Information
Employee Benefits Menu
- Generous Time Off
- Savour a well-balanced blend of work and personal time with our generous annual leave allowance (31 days including bank holidays)
- Pension Contributions with Extra Spice
- Prepare for your future with a pension plan that goes beyond the basics – 5% from you, matched with a hearty 5% from us
- Life Assurance
- Our life assurance plan is here to provide peace of mind, so you can focus on serving up excellence
- Cycle Scheme
- Get a healthy and eco-friendly start to each day with our cycle scheme – perfect for working up an appetite!
- Comprehensive Family Leave Benefits
- When life serves up big changes, we’re here to support you with a menu of family leave benefits designed so you can make memories as you care for your family.
- Free Food and Drink on Shift
- Enjoy a daily free meal/drink so you can fuel up and stay energised.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)/Mental Health First Aiders
- Tap into our 24/7, all-year round helpline and portal Wisdom, loaded with resources on health, finances, legal advice and lifestyle tips – a full menu of support options
- Christmas Shutdown
- Relax during the festive period whilst the operation is closed between Christmas and New Year – a rarity for the Hospitality industry (option to volunteer for skeleton staffing)
- Learning, Development and Apprenticeship Opportunities
- Stir up new skills with a range of development and apprenticeship opportunities to help you grow your career and cook up success in the culinary world.
- Access to Occupational Health
- As a perk of being part of the HPC project, you will have access to Health Partners, the UK’s leading provider of workplace health services
- Refer a Friend Scheme
- Use our employee referral programme and benefit financially by adding people from your professional network to our workforce.
- Monthly Recognition: A Toast to you
- Each month, we raise a glass to our star team members who go above and beyond, as nominated by their colleagues
- Long Service Awards
- Celebrate the milestones! Receive our heartfelt gratitude and special recognition at your 5- and 10-year anniversaries
- Annual Team Awards
- Join us for our annual awards event as we honour the outstanding contributions and achievements of our team. It’s our way of saying cheers to you!
Pre-Employment Screening
Successful applicants will be required to provide a three-year employment history and five-year address history to work on Hinkley Point C.
They must be able to provide in date photographic ID and their right to work in the UK so that security clearance can be obtained as these roles are based on a nuclear regulated site.
Quality Assurance Assistant • Bridgwater, Somerset, United Kingdom
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Quality Assurance Assistant in Wedmore employer: Somerset Larder
At Somerset Larder, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and positive work environment that values togetherness and personal growth. With stable daytime hours, generous annual leave, and a range of development opportunities, our team members can thrive both personally and professionally while enjoying the unique advantage of working at the Royal Portbury docks. Join us to experience a fulfilling career where your contributions are recognised and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Assurance Assistant in Wedmore
✨Join Food Science Communities
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Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Somerset Larder, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
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We think you need these skills to ace Quality Assurance Assistant in Wedmore
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Somerset Larder, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Somerset Larder.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Somerset Larder. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Somerset Larder. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Somerset Larder
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Somerset Larder’s mission.
