Food Safety & Quality Auditor

Pilgrim's Europe; Chichester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food production company in the UK is looking for a Quality Assurance professional to implement and improve their Quality Assurance System. The role involves conducting audits, maintaining compliance, and providing technical support to various teams. Candidates should have strong communication skills and relevant qualifications in food safety. This position offers competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Competitive Holiday Entitlement

Pension Contribution

Family Friendly Policies

Learning and Development Opportunities

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills across departments.
• Self-motivated, organised, and assertive with problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of HACCP, BRC Standards, and Food Legislation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct audits of the factory environment and processes.
• Report technical status and support corrective action plans.
• Audit HACCP systems and ensure product safety.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Self-motivated and organised

Team-oriented and customer-focused

Education

GCSEs in Maths & English (Grade C or above)

A-Level or HND in a food-related subject

Job description

Overview

Location: Ashbourne
Department: Technical / Quality Assurance
Reports To: Food Safety & Quality Manager
Employment Type: Permanent

Job Purpose

To implement, audit, and continually improve the Quality Assurance System by providing technical support to Production, Maintenance, and Hygiene teams. This role ensures food safety and product integrity in line with customer quality standards and legislative requirements, taking corrective actions to maintain product specifications.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Assurance

• Conduct audits of the factory environment, processes, products, and records to ensure compliance with agreed standards.
• Report technical status and non-compliance issues, both verbally and in writing, and support the development of corrective action plans.
• Maintain and improve the QA system, ensuring retrievability of records and verification of product safety and quality.
• Audit HACCP systems and traceability from ingredients to customer delivery.
• Perform critical QA tasks including thermal process validation, calibration, and temperature monitoring.
• Provide technical guidance and training to cross-functional teams.
• Participate in problem-solving and project work related to technical and hygiene issues.

Continuous Improvement

• Promote workplace organisation and contribute to ongoing improvements in QA processes.

Environmental Responsibility

• Support initiatives to reduce energy usage, waste, and carbon footprint across the business.

Health & Safety

• Implement and uphold company Health & Safety policies.
• Ensure safe working practices, training, and compliance within the department.
• Conduct regular safety inspections and ensure corrective actions are taken.
• Maintain COSHH assessments and safe storage of substances.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Food Safety Site Index
• Monthly Product Quality Score
• Audit Grades
• Timely and accurate response to customer queries and complaints

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills across departments
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths & English (Grade C or above)
• Self-motivated, organised, and assertive with problem-solving abilities
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Team-oriented and customer-focused

Desirable

• A-Level or HND in a food-related subject
• Experience in a similar food quality role
• Knowledge of HACCP, BRC Standards, Food Legislation, and Food Hygiene
• Advanced Diploma in Food Hygiene Management
• Intermediate Certificate in Applied HACCP Principles

The company

Pilgrim's Europe produces some of the best-known and most iconic brands in the UK and Ireland, including Fridge Raiders, Rollover, Denny, Richmond, Oakhouse and Moy Park, alongside a diverse range of industry leading own-label products in categories including fresh pork, lamb and chicken, working with all the major retailers and food service outlets.

Our portfolio extends to authentic chilled and frozen ready meals, snacking ranges, added value and food service products.

Across Pilgrim's Europe we combine 20,000 of the best people in the industry, united by a shared set of core values and a passion for producing the highest quality, most delicious and innovative food, which is enjoyed by millions of people in the UK, Ireland and Europe every day. Our Pilgrim's Europe team are based in our Pilgrim's UK, Moy Park, Pilgrim's Food Masters and Pilgrim's Shared Services businesses.

What we'll bring to the table

• Competitive Salary
• Competitive Holiday Entitlement
• Pension Contribution
• Family Friendly Policies
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Life Assurance

Our values

• Determination
• Simplicity
• Availability
• Humility
• Discipline
• Sincerity
• Ownership