Production QA

Chartwells Independent; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free breakfast and lunch on shift

Free on-site parking

Contributory pension scheme

Career development opportunities

Wellbeing support

Digital GP access

Job summary

Cuisine Centre in Derby is seeking a QA Operative to support Goods-In, Warehousing, Production and Dispatch, ensuring GMP, quality and food safety standards are met. You will audit, inspect products, investigate defects and drive continuous improvement.

40 hours weekly, Mon-Fri 07:00–15:30, with occasional overtime. Join a busy team delivering high-standard meals and robust quality processes across site.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and collaborative skills essential for cross-functional teams.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data to support QA decisions.
• Good numeracy and literacy with attention to detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Ensure products meet GMP, quality and food safety standards.
• Minimise waste through proper machine settings and processes.
• Accurately complete all required documentation within set timescales.
• Conduct checks on incoming, stored ingredients, production processes, and finished goods dispatch.
• Identify and expedite quality issues promptly.
• Monitor hygiene standards through observation, swabbing and testing.
• Complete and sign off cleaning schedule checks.
• Promote a safe working environment following Health & Safety policies and PPE.
• Ensure adherence to company procedures and standards.
• Communicate effectively with Production Managers and teams.
• Provide flexible support across factory areas and work as part of the team.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Verify accuracy of operator documentation.
• Carry out stock rotation and inventory checks.
• Share ideas to improve processes.

Skills

Communication

Data analysis

Numeracy & literacy

Attention to detail

IT literacy

Self-motivation

Time management

Flexibility

Team player

Food hygiene

Food handling

Job description

QA Operative

Cuisine Centre

SmartParc SEGRO, Derby, UK

Hourly Pay Rate: £14.45

About the Role

In your role, you will support Goods-In, Warehousing, Production, and Dispatch operations to ensure all ingredients and finished products meet or exceed customer expectations. This includes compliance auditing, product inspections, defect investigation, and driving continuous improvement. You will work closely with both the Production and Technical teams to ensure that GMP, quality, and food safety standards are universally met across the site.

Working Hours

40 hours per week

Monday – Friday: 07:00 – 15:30

Flexibility required, including occasional overtime.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure all products meet required specifications and comply with GMP, quality, and food safety standards.
• Minimise waste through correct machine settings and processes.
• Accurately complete all required documentation within set timescales.
• Conduct checks on:

• Incoming ingredients.
• Stored ingredients.
• Production processes.
• Finished goods storage and dispatch.

• Identify and expedite quality issues promptly.
• Monitor hygiene standards through observation, swabbing, and testing.
• Complete and sign off cleaning schedule checks.
• Promote and maintain a safe working environment, following all Health & Safety policies, and wearing appropriate PPE.
• Ensure adherence to all company procedures and standards.
• Communicate effectively with Production Managers and relevant teams.
• Provide flexible support across different factory areas, working collaboratively as a team, and communicating effectively.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Verify accuracy of operator-completed documentation.
• Carry out stock rotation and inventory accuracy checks.
• Communicate effectively with Production Managers and relevant teams.
• Provide flexible support across different factory areas and work collaboratively as a team.
• Contribute your ideas to make continuous improvement of processes.

Key Skills & Experience

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• IT literate.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Flexible and proactive approach.
• Team player with a positive, "can-do" attitude.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and quality standards.
• Experience in food or raw material handling preferred.

About Cuisine Centre

As part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, Cuisine Centre is the food production arm of the UK’s largest contract catering business. We prepare millions of quality meals each year across our five meal ranges, and these are served nationwide in partnership with our clients in a variety of sectors. We are passionate about simplifying catering, whilst nourishing the nation with fresh, flavour-first food.

Our people are the secret ingredient to our success. Our dedicated team of Foodists take pride in every detail, as every meal matters. That's why we invest in you, providing opportunities to grow, build, and develop your career. We know that a happy, talented team delivers the best food.

Our Four Core Values

• Be a Foodist! – We are driven by a passion for food and culinary excellence, putting care into every detail.
• Do the Right Thing – We always act with integrity and honesty, because high standards create quality products.
• Take Responsibility – We share responsibility for our actions on site, and the wider impact on our customers, communities, and environment.
• Have Respect & Compassion – We recognise that every role helps make the dish. We put our people at the centre of everything we do.

If you're looking for a role in a growing food production business, where your work feels as good as it tastes, we'd love to hear from you.

Your Benefits

• Free breakfast and lunch on shift.
• Free on-site parking.
• Convenient public transport links.
• Perks at Work – exclusive benefits & wellbeing platform, including discounts on high-street brands and holidays.
• Grow your career with development and progression opportunities.
• "Pride in Every Plate" recognition scheme with prizes on offer.
• Mental, physical, and financial wellbeing support.
• Company pension scheme.
• Free employee assistance programme.
• Access to our employee networks across Compass Group UK & I. We want all our team members to feel empowered and valued to create an inclusive workplace culture.
• We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

Please note: This role is contracted to weeks per year

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/2108/43172001/52820014/R/SU #Cuisine Centre

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!