Our client is one of the largest, independent fresh produce businesses in the UK and Europe. Driven by a keen entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for great tasting, high-quality fresh produce. They are now looking to appoint a Quality Assurance person.

Overview:

• To identify that all produce entering the site meets the requires specification and effectively communicate any concerns.
• To ensure that all products leaving site meet customer specification.
• Comply with all procedures and systems, meeting all legal, company and customer requirements.

The Role:

• Conduct positive release checks per order for all produce in your assigned ”Cell’ to ensure product meets specification.
• Online checks of production handling and selection of stock ensuring selection is aligned to specification.
• Be a point of quality expertise to other colleagues within your assigned ”Cell”.
• Verify label checks ensuring the labels are correct, contain all data and are signed off correctly as per procedure.
• Communicate clearly with Cell leads regarding any quality or compliance concerns, targeting line start up, working proactively before the order is completed.
• Complete pre-departure returns as necessary, communicate and follow through appropriately.
• Collate, check and book samples into the shelf-life system.
• Preparation, completion and sign off of samples for the “Cell” and wider business. E.g. customer samples or line set up trials.
• Book waste accurately into the waste system following the agreed process, communicating concerns as necessary.
• React and respond to any rejections informing the cell and wider business of actions and corrective actions.
• Work in alignment to Cell KPIs
• Complete compliance checks as required including:

o Scissor, knife and scale checks to ensure correct completion of records
o temperature compliance checks on blast chillers when required.
o glass breakage checks
o QA equipment on the start of the shifts and make sure that the equipment is signed in/off correctly.
o Room temperature checks in shelf life o Supporting audits as required

• Complete Ripening Cage Reports with findings and communicate efficiently to the Cell and wider business (Fruit cell only).

Skills:

• The ideal candidate will be well-organised and a proactive team player, who will have excellent attention to detail and will enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills to be able to liaise with other departments professionally at all times.
• Have the confidence to challenge people and stop products with issues entering/leaving the building, and work with other departments to expedite corrective action.
• Carry out all tasks assigned by the QA Manager/Technical Manager and Senior QA in a professional manner and be a strong decision maker.
• Be forward thinking in identifying areas of concern or improvement and act on them.
• Work to an agreed shift pattern including nights where applicable