Senior Quality Assurance Technologist

Founded in 2003, Wasabi's vision is to lovingly create and serve delicious Asian food for a busy nation. Wasabi now has 42 thriving restaurants across London and major UK cities and 4 in New York. In 2019, we introduced Wasabi Home Bento, the grocery channel, launching exclusively in Sainsbury's. Building on that success, the grocery business broadened its reach to Tesco in September 2022, followed by exciting launches in Co-op and Morrisons in 2024. Wasabi grocery has seen phenomenal growth and is now a £62m RSV brand. Wasabi proudly stands as the No. 2 chilled ready-meal brand in the market, consistently attracting new customers to the category through an innovative East Asian range. Wasabi's menu is celebrated for its unique character, exceptional freshness, and bold flavours. Our diverse range is designed to delight a wide audience, delivering both comfort and excitement with every bite.

We have an ambitious 5-year growth strategy, focusing on new restaurants, franchise partnerships, and international expansion. As we prepare for our next phase of growth and innovation, we have an incredibly exciting opportunity for a Senior Quality Assurance Technologist to join our Central Production Unit based in Park Royal.

The Role: The role provides professional support to the QA Manager in managing food safety, food quality, health & safety, and legal compliance across all operations within the Central Production Unit. It also involves managing, training, supporting, and developing the QA team to ensure quality assurance activities are completed effectively, accurately, and on time, while balancing people management with hands-on QA responsibilities and providing operational support when required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with all departments, providing professional support to ensure compliance with BRCGS standards and maintaining the Central Production Unit (CPU) in an audit-ready state at all times.
• Supervise, coach, and support the QA Technologists team, fostering a positive culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Responsible for QA tasks on Saturdays and Sundays and during holiday cover for QA Manager. Plan and allocate QA tasks, ensuring schedules are adhered to and priorities are met.
• Execute effective training plan for new and current staff to ensure team members are adequately trained and competent for their responsibilities.
• Manage the team to ensure the QA conduct inspections of raw materials, in-process products, finished products and processes and identify defects or deviations from quality standards.
• Ensure team rectify or escalate non-conformances when required, ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
• Conduct internal audits on a regular basis e.g., glass & plastic, GMP (good manufacturing practice), hygiene, CCP (critical control point) and allergen etc.
• Ensure calibration of equipment (thermometers, scales, etc.) is completed on schedule, with accurate monitoring records maintained.
• Ensure taste panel is completed on schedule, ensuring corrective actions are implemented and results recorded.
• Manage routine sampling plans (finished products, shelf life, environmental swabs, water samples) working closely with other members of the technical team.
• Ensure maintenance of accurate QA documentation of control and monitoring activities including check sheets, concession requests, audit reports, etc.
• Assist with supplier non-conformances and customer complaints investigations on food safety, packaging or other food related issues.
• Document and report the investigation results to Line Manager as appropriate.
• Support the Line Manager with document control (updating, creating, and reviewing documents as required).
• Escalate quality or food safety concerns promptly to the Line Manager.
• Provide hands-on support to cover QA tasks during peak periods, absences, or when required.
• Support with activities and data collection on initiatives related to ESG responsibilities and commitments.

Our Requirements: The Senior Quality Assurance Technologist should have a good practical working knowledge of food safety legislation and quality requirements. A strong QA background is desirable for this role but more importantly you will be energetic, punctual, proactive, and reliable with the ability to lead, guide, and motivate others towards achievement. HACCP knowledge, a food science qualification or equivalent and experience in the manufacturing industry within a high care / high risk environment will be favourable. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

In return we provide:

• A great working environment
• Pension scheme
• Target Bonus
• Refer A Friend Scheme
• Free Sushi or hot food (vegan options available)
• 50% discount in our Branches
• Employee Assistant Programme
• Help at Hand (a service providing health and wellbeing support)
• Long Service Awards
• Wagestream - a financial wellbeing benefit that lets you access your pay as you earn it in real time and manage savings
• Life Assurance
• Electric Vehicle Scheme through Octopus
• Cycle To Work
• Free on-site parking
• A variety of discounts (shopping, food & drink, entertainment and health & fitness) through Perkbox
• The opportunity to develop your skills within a growing company.

Our people make us who we are. If you're looking for an exciting challenge and this sounds like the job for you please apply today as we can't wait to hear from you.

COME ROLL WITH US!