Food QA Auditor & Compliance Specialist

D R Newitt & Associates; Consett; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

D R Newitt & Associates is seeking a proactive Quality Assurance Auditor for a fast-paced food manufacturing site. You will ensure raw materials, in-process and finished products meet quality and safety specifications, and you will support internal audits and continuous improvement.

Ideal candidates will have experience in QA within food manufacturing, knowledge of BRCGS/HACCP, and a strong ability to maintain accurate records and drive corrective actions across departments.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Quality Assurance, Quality Control or Technical role within food manufacturing.
• Good understanding of food safety, quality management systems, hygiene standards and procedures.
• Experience conducting quality checks, inspections, sampling and internal audits.
• Knowledge of BRCGS standards, HACCP and GMP.
• Strong attention to detail with ability to maintain accurate records.
• Excellent problem-solving skills to investigate issues and implement corrective actions.
• Good communication skills and ability to work with colleagues across departments.
• Ability to prioritise workloads, work independently and meet deadlines.
• Proactive approach to continuous improvement, food safety and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Carry out sampling, inspections and testing of incoming raw materials, packaging and finished products to ensure compliance with quality standards and specifications.
• Conduct product testing, including pH testing, taste panels, burst testing, dye testing and thermal process validations where required.
• Perform regular factory audits covering GMP, hygiene, quality management systems, traceability, metal detection, coding, product weight control, stock rotation and housekeeping.
• Ensure compliance with BRCGS requirements, customer codes of practice, food safety standards and procedures.
• Investigate customer complaints, non-conformances and out-of-spec results, ensuring corrective actions are documented.
• Manage product holds, concessions and positive product release in line with procedures and deadlines.
• Conduct environmental, ATP, allergen and potable water sampling, recording results and arranging retesting.
• Maintain accurate quality records, technical reports, production paperwork and audit documentation.
• Review and sign off production paperwork, retort graphs and relevant documentation before filing and archiving.
• Liaise with suppliers to verify raw material compliance and provide appropriate certificates of analysis or conformance.
• Support new product launches, customer audits, compliance panels and technical projects.
• Provide coaching and support to colleagues on food safety, hygiene and quality procedures.
• Monitor quality trends, testing schedules and audit results, highlighting concerns and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promote a positive health and safety culture and help maintain high standards of workplace safety.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Food manufacturing

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Time management

Job description

D R Newitt & Associates is seeking a proactive Quality Assurance Auditor for a fast-paced food manufacturing site. You will ensure raw materials, in-process and finished products meet quality and safety specifications, and you will support internal audits and continuous improvement.

Ideal candidates will have experience in QA within food manufacturing, knowledge of BRCGS/HACCP, and a strong ability to maintain accurate records and drive corrective actions across departments.