Food Safety & Quality Auditor

Pilgrims Europe; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company in Craigavon seeks a Food Safety & Quality Auditor to implement and improve the Quality Assurance System. You will manage compliance audits, provide technical support, and ensure products meet quality standards. Essential skills include communication, problem-solving, and knowledge of food safety regulations. This role requires a commitment to quality and collaboration within teams.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills across departments.
• Good general education and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Self-motivated, organised, and assertive with problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Audit factory environment and processes to verify compliance.
• Monitor product quality across different areas.
• Conduct traceability exercises from ingredients to customer delivery.
• Provide technical guidance and training to other departments.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Problem-solving abilities

Team-oriented

Education

Third-level education in a food-related discipline

Food Safety Level 3

HACCP Level 2 or 3 training

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Food Safety & Quality Auditor
Location: Craigavon Northern Ireland
Contract Type: Permanent Full Time
Hours of Work: Rotating 3-week shift pattern

• Week 1: Monday - Friday, 16:00 to Midnight
• Week 2: Tuesday - Friday, 08:00 to 17:00
• Week 3: Monday - Friday, 08:00 to 16:45

Purpose of the Role

To implement, audit, and drive continual improvement of the Quality Assurance System, providing technical support to Production, Maintenance, and Hygiene teams. The role ensures products are consistently produced safely, meeting customer quality standards and legislative requirements, and that corrective actions are taken to maintain product specifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Audit factory environment, processes, products, and records to verify compliance with agreed standards and procedures.
• Report technical status and non-compliance issues both verbally and in writing.
• Monitor product quality across Despatch, On-Line, and Taste Panel.
• Maintain QA systems including hygiene specifications, cleaning effectiveness, and traceability.
• Audit HACCP systems to ensure product safety (e.g., nut and glass policies).
• Conduct traceability exercises from ingredients to customer delivery.
• Perform critical tasks such as thermal process validation, calibration, temperature monitoring, hygiene swabbing, and product sampling.
• Provide technical guidance and training to other departments.
• Participate in problem-solving and project work.
• Promote environmentally responsible practices (e.g., waste reduction, recycling).
• Carry out any other duties required to support the role.

Key Deliverables

• Timely and effective completion of audits.
• Hygiene swabbing and product sampling as per schedule.
• Review and update factory SOPs.
• Support operational teams in closing out non-conformances.
• Monitor and maintain product quality standards.
• Complete traceability exercises in line with customer requirements.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills across departments.
• Good general education and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Self-motivated, organised, and assertive with problem-solving abilities.
• Team-oriented and customer-focused.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of HACCP, BRC Standards, Food Legislation, and Food Hygiene.
• Food Safety Level 3 and HACCP Level 2/3 training.
• Experience in high-risk Ready-to-Eat environments.
• Third-level education, preferably in a food-related discipline.

Behaviours & Values

At Pilgrim's, our values shape how we work and interact:

• Availability: Open and ready to take on new challenges.
• Humility: Respectful and receptive to others' opinions.
• Discipline: Committed to delivering on promises.
• Sincerity: Honest and respectful in all interactions.
• Simplicity: Focused on what's practical and important.
• Ownership & Determination: Driving success through accountability and perseverance.

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.

How to apply

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