Production QA

Compass Group UK; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 30,060 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free breakfast and lunch on shift

Free on-site parking

Convenient public transport links

Perks at Work – discounts on brands

Job summary

Cuisine Centre, part of Compass Group UK, Derby, is seeking a QA Operative to support Goods‑In, Warehousing, Production and Dispatch. You will audit compliance, inspect products, investigate defects, and drive continuous improvement to meet quality and safety standards.

Role involves 40 hours weekly (Mon–Fri 07:00–15:30) with occasional overtime. You will work with Production and Technical teams to uphold GMP and food safety, ensuring accurate documentation and effective cross‑team communication.

Qualifications

• 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.

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 escalate 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 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.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Verify accuracy of operator-completed documentation.
• Carry out stock rotation and inventory accuracy checks.

Skills

Communication

Data analysis

Numeracy

Attention to detail

IT literacy

Independent working

Time management

Team player

Food hygiene

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 escalate 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.

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.

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.