QA Technician (Night shift)

The Compleat Food Group; Poole; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Poole is searching for a QC Technician to ensure quality and safety standards in raw materials and finished products. The role requires conducting inspections, supporting the Supply Chain team, and maintaining compliance with quality systems. Ideal candidates will have a background in quality control, strong attention to detail, and a passion for food safety. This position offers opportunities for growth within a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Salary sacrifice schemes for electric vehicles

Option to purchase extra annual leave

Access to enhanced retail discounts

Free product handouts

24/7 access to Grocery Aid support

Free on-demand exercise classes

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years' experience in quality control in the food industry.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine inspections of raw materials and packaging.
• Conduct quality checks on finished products to ensure safety standards.
• Support the Supply Chain team with technical expertise.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Experience in quality control

Degree in food science or related field

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Excel

Job description

As a QC Technician, you will play a key role in ensuring that all raw materials, packaging, and finished products meet our quality, safety, and customer standards. You will support both the Intake and Quality functions by carrying out scheduled inspections, completing essential checks, and maintaining compliance with all quality systems. In this role, you will:

Responsibilities

• Perform routine inspections of raw materials and packaging on intake
• Conduct quality checks on finished products and processes to ensure they meet customer specifications and food safety requirements
• Help prevent potential quality issues and customer complaints (EPWs)
• Provide technical support to the Supply Chain team
• Build strong working relationships with suppliers and internal colleagues
• Support the wider QA team by providing flexible cover for absence, sickness, and holidays

Intake & Quality Duties

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with all departments to promote a sense of team working and common purpose in the achievement of technical and company goals.
• Support on site audits by third parties.

Intake

• Ensure that the raw materials inspection schedules are complete for packaging, meats, general raw materials which include eggs, frozen ingredients, dairy, chilled ingredients, fats dried ingredients, seasoning, flour, rusk etc.
• Creating the necessary quality standards for raw materials inspections. Highlighting any missing standards to the RMT (Raw Materials Technologist).
• Notify suppliers of non-conforming raw materials by email. Sending complaint and rejection notifications with supporting photographic evidence. Ensure the complaint/rejection spread sheet is updated to drive forward continuous improvements.
• Collect and send raw material samples for Micro and Chemistry testing by the set schedules.
• Update micro and chemistry results onto the necessary record sheets.
• Ensure the intake log is completed for each delivery and check batch references that are being recorded are correct (this information is critical for traceability).
• Update the intake logs excel spread sheet with the completed intake log sheets on a daily basis, highlighting any issues to the RMT.
• Create and issue the daily task sheet using the delivery booking in schedule, and warehouse KPOP report at the end of each day to ensure we know exactly what is coming in the next day. This is an essential task which will help organise the daily workload.
• Ensure the stores operatives have a sufficient supply of Pallet Headers/Tempering sheets.
• Ensure the stores scales and probe are calibrated as required and relevant sheets are completed.
• Raw materials tool box register must be monitored and recorded.
• A good standard of housekeeping must be upheld in your working environment (goods in, ambient storage area, bonded cold store) at all times. Highlight any issues to the team leader/manager (assist where possible and lead by example). If issues are not dealt with in a time frame you consider acceptable, contact RMT.
• Ensure all ingredients stored in your area of responsibility are in date and ingredient, packaging segregations are in place. This can be achieved by a daily walk through in your areas.
• Support and advise on maintaining traceability throughout the factory.

Quality

• Carry out twice daily taste panels as part of the daily product quality review.
• Collect finished products in response to sample requests.
• Carry out routine tasks such as swabbing, water and product sampling, log in samples and sent to lab.
• Carry out scheduled calibration checks e.g. scales and cook pot probes.
• Perform metal detectable item (plasters, pens etc.) checks on all new batches before they are issued to production.
• Carry out monthly chemical concentration checks throughout the production areas.
• Carry out monthly glass audits throughout the production areas.
• Carry out the filing of all factory paperwork and rack tags into the appropriate boxes/filing cabinets.
• Pick up ad hoc tasks and requests through the technical management team e.g. quality or micro investigations.

We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed. Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.

Recruitment Agencies: We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team.

Company Overview

About The Compleat Food Group At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat. We’re home to some of the UK's most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice. With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better. We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.

Financial & Lifestyle Benefits

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• Option to purchase extra annual leave
• Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
• EV charging points - available at selected sites

Health & Wellbeing

• 24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid

Career Growth & Development

• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
• Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards

Community & Culture

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together
• Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat
• New baby gift for new parents

The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.