Quality Assurance Specialist - Food & Beverage

Lime Talent; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Annual Pay Review

Company Pension

Lunch Allowance

Job summary

A leading UK food company is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist to ensure compliance with food safety legislation across the UK and Europe. This role involves reviewing product labelling, managing allergen risks, and supporting audit processes. Candidates should have at least three years of experience in a related role and possess a degree in Food Science or a related field. An understanding of UK and EU food laws is essential. Join a fast-growing team committed to quality and safety!

Qualifications

• At least three years’ experience in a food safety, technical, or quality-focused role.
• Sound understanding of UK and EU food legislation.
• Familiarity with product withdrawal and recall procedures.
• Degree in Food Science or related discipline; HACCP training to intermediate level.
• Experience working to GFSI-benchmarked food safety standards.
• Comfort using retailer or customer systems for managing specifications and packaging approvals.
• Exposure to ingredients sourced from Asian markets is advantageous.
• Highly organised with ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
• Strong communication, collaborative and adaptable approach.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all products meet food safety legislation in the UK and Europe.
• Review product artwork for compliance with labelling requirements.
• Assist in preparing sites for audits and internal reviews.
• Provide support in the event of product withdrawals or recalls.
• Ensure alignment with packaging waste and sustainability regulations ahead of their implementation deadlines.
• Review and approve product artwork to confirm compliance with UK/EU labelling requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure packaging and labelling are approved prior to launch.
• Assess and manage allergen risks; perform allergen risk evaluations and implement control measures.
• Support allergen management practices across manufacturing and supply chain activities.
• Assist in preparing sites for internal reviews, customer assessments, and independent certification audits.
• Perform internal audits and help coordinate corrective actions to close out issues.
• Develop and maintain product specifications and support supplier evaluations from a food safety and quality standpoint.

Skills

Food safety legislation understanding

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving ability

Team collaboration

Adaptability

GFSI knowledge

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

HACCP training (intermediate)

Job description

Package: Bonus scheme, Annual Pay Review, Company Pension, Lunch Allowance

Our client is a fast growing UK division of a world leading international food company who are looking to expand their commercial team, bringing on board a Quality Assurance Specialist to play a key role in the growth of their business.

Your Responsibilities:

Regulatory adherence:

• Make sure all products meet applicable food safety legislation across the UK and Europe, including national authority requirements and overarching EU food law.
• Stay informed on current and emerging legal obligations and recognised industry frameworks such as food safety standards, allergen legislation, and labelling regulations.
• Act as a point of contact with enforcement authorities during audits, inspections, and approval processes.
• Provide support in the event of product withdrawals or recalls.
• Ensure alignment with upcoming packaging waste and sustainability regulations ahead of their implementation deadlines.

Packaging, labelling, and records management:

• Review and approve product artwork to confirm compliance with statutory UK and EU labelling requirements, including ingredients, nutritional data, and allergen information.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure packaging and labelling are approved prior to launch.
• Assess and manage allergen risks associated with ingredients, processes, and finished products.
• Carry out allergen risk evaluations and confirm that appropriate control measures are in place.
• Support allergen management practices across manufacturing and supply chain activities.

Audit support:

• Assist in preparing sites for internal reviews, customer assessments, and independent certification audits.
• Perform internal audits and help coordinate corrective actions to close out any identified issues.

Specifications and supplier approval:

• Develop and maintain accurate product specifications in accordance with legal and customer expectations.
• Support the evaluation and approval of ingredients and suppliers from a food safety and quality standpoint.

About You:

• At least three years’ experience in a food safety, technical, or quality‑focused role within a manufacturing environment.
• Sound understanding of UK and EU food legislation, including allergen management and labelling requirements.
• Familiarity with product withdrawal and recall procedures.
• Degree‑qualified in Food Science or a related discipline, with HACCP training to intermediate level or equivalent.
• Experience working to GFSI‑benchmarked food safety standards.
• Confident using retailer or customer systems for managing specifications and packaging approvals.
• Exposure to ingredients sourced from Asian markets would be advantageous.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑moving environment.
• Strong communication skills with a collaborative, adaptable, and professional approach.
• Demonstrates excellent problem‑solving ability, accuracy, and attention to detail.

If you are passionate about QA and eager to make a tangible impact in a fast growing UK team then we'd love to hear from you.

We are committed to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that diversity fosters innovation and strengthens teams. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.