QA Food Science Specialist

Acu-IT.net; Market Drayton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy company is seeking a QA Food Science Specialist to provide expert guidance in quality assurance across multiple UK sites. The successful candidate will focus on microbiological and chemical quality standards while driving improvements and compliance in food safety. Requirements include a science-based degree and experience in food manufacturing, particularly in dairy. The role comes with a competitive salary, bonus scheme, and a range of benefits including medical and pension plans.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Bonus scheme

Private medical healthcare

Contributory pension plan

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave

Flexible benefits programme

Discounts at over 800 retailers

Qualifications

• Strong experience within food manufacturing, ideally FMCG or dairy.
• HACCP Level 4 and Food Safety Level 4 desirable.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as scientific expert across sites focusing on food properties.
• Lead governance of technical standards in quality assurance.
• Drive continuous improvement in laboratory quality systems.

Skills

Food Science knowledge

Microbiology expertise

Strong stakeholder management

Analytical approach

Education

Science-based degree in Food Science or Microbiology

Job description

Overview

We're Mller UK & Ireland, a family-run dairy business and we're experts at what we do. Dairy is a key part of a healthy and balanced diet and we're proud to help meet the nutritional needs of millions of people every day. Our business is split into Mller Milk & Ingredients (MMI) and Mller Yogurt & Desserts (MYD). This role is with MYD, focused on putting a smile on the nation’s face with products like Mller Corner, Mller Light, Mller Bliss, Mller Rice, Mller FRijj, Mller X MyProtein and Biotiful Gut Health. We are looking for team members who are self-starters and ready to contribute to our mission.

Why Mller?

Yogurts and desserts flow through everything at Mller—from farm to factory to fridge. The true impact comes from our people across the business, working as a team to make each day delicious for shoppers. As the UK\'s most popular dairy brand, we strive to make a real difference for our planet, our partners and our people, placing sustainability at the heart of everything we do. We are growing and seeking a team of fridge-fillers and self-starters to help us achieve our mission.

Role

QA Food Science Specialist

Location: Market Drayton, Telford or Minsterley (with travel required to all three sites)

At Mller, we are driven by quality, innovation and a passion for great tasting dairy. As part of our Quality Assurance team within Mller Yogurt & Desserts, we are looking for a QA Food Science Specialist to act as the scientific subject matter expert across our UK sites.

This is a key technical role, providing leadership across microbiology, chemistry and process science, ensuring robust standards that protect food safety, quality and compliance while supporting continuous improvement.

What You'll Be Doing

• Acting as the scientific expert across Mller Yogurt & Desserts, covering the microbiological, chemical and physical properties of food.
• Leading the development, deployment and governance of science-based technical standards and specifications
• Driving spoilage prevention, mould and pathogen reduction through data-led improvement plans
• Supporting root cause analysis of quality incidents and contributing to crisis and incident management
• Driving continuous improvement in laboratory quality systems, equipment capability and horizon scanning for new technologies
• Partnering cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Group Quality and external laboratories
• Coaching and developing laboratory and site teams to strengthen quality capability at every level

What We're Looking For

• A science-based degree in Food Science, Microbiology or a related discipline
• Strong experience within food manufacturing, ideally FMCG or dairy and with a microbiology bias
• HACCP Level 4 and Food Safety Level 4 desirable but not essential
• A structured, analytical approach with the confidence to challenge the status quo
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

What You'll Receive

In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer our employees numerous benefits as part of your employment, including:

• Competitive Salary
• Bonus scheme
• Private medical healthcare
• Contributory pension plan
• Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous annual leave increasing with service
• Flexible benefits programme
• Access to a Rewards Benefits Programme with discounts across 800 retailers online and in-store

Contact Details

F.A.O. UK Recruitment, Mller UK & Ireland, Shrewsbury Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3SQ