Quality Assurance Technician

Inspired Pet Nutrition; Hambleton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Enhanced pension

Life assurance

Parental leave

Healthcare cashback

Pet food discounts

Onsite parking

Canteen

Gym discounts

Job summary

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician for our Thirsk site. You will work with Operations and Technical teams to ensure products meet high standards, performing audits, checks, and investigations of non-conformances across the site.

The role focuses on quality and food safety in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and accuracy. Competitive benefits and a 48-hour week are included.

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent, numerate and literate.
• Basic computer literacy for standard office tasks.
• Health & Safety - Level 2.
• Food hygiene - Level 2.
• CCP training including HACCP principles for Manufacturing.
• Internal Audit Process; Understanding and Experience.
• Allergen Awareness; Understanding of risk.
• GMP; Knowledge of techniques.
• Non-conformance reporting techniques.
• Microbiological awareness; basic food safety
• Basic weight legislation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct production line and operator compliance audits
• Conduct area and paperwork compliance checks, escalating issues
• Manage and investigate non-conforming materials and products
• Conduct composition checks on blended kibble finished products
• Daily calibration of water activity equipment
• Manage retained sample storage
• Carry out NIR analysis on defined raw materials and finished product samples
• Ensure safety standards and environmental policy compliance

Skills

Quality Assurance

GMP

HACCP

Auditing

Microbiology

Education

GCSE or equivalent

Food Hygiene Level 2

Health & Safety Level 2

Tools

NIR Analysis

Water activity meter

Job description

The Role:

Are you passionate about quality, food safety and maintaining high standards within a fast-paced manufacturing environment?

We're looking for a Quality Assurance Technician to join our Technical team at our Thirsk site. Working closely with our Operations and Technical teams, you'll play an important role in ensuring our products consistently meet the high standards our customers expect - from carrying out production and compliance checks to investigating non-conformances and supporting food safety and quality processes across site.

This is a great opportunity for someone with experience in quality or food manufacturing who has a keen eye for detail, enjoys working collaboratively and takes pride in getting things right.

Hourly rate of £14.33 (£35,767 per annum)

Days shift pattern - Monday - Thursday (06:00 - 16:00) and Friday (06:00 - 14:00)

48 hours per week

Our Total Reward Benefits include:

• Overtime, enhanced pension, life assurance and enhanced maternity, paternity, sick pay and holiday buy options
• Healthcare cashback plan and Hertility at-home fertility testing
• Heavily discounted pet food and lifestyle benefits (Netflix, Spotify or breakdown cover)
• Retail and gym discounts, electric car scheme, and free onsite parking and charging
• Onsite canteen, free hot drinks and modern facilities.

Key Accountabilities:

• Conduct production line and operator compliance audits
• Conduct area and paperwork compliance checks, escalating any issues or trends identified
• Management and investigation of non-conforming materials and products (hold / quarantine process)
• Conduct composition checks on blended kibble finished products to ensure compliance to specification
• Daily calibration of water activity equipment
• Management of retained sample storage
• Carry out NIR analysis on defined raw materials and finished product samples
• Ensure that a safe working environment exists for all colleagues and that as a minimum the department meets the standards set out in the safety, health and environment policy

Additional Accountabilities:

• Collection and collation of product samples (finished product retained / DEFRA samples)
• Conduct goods in checks on packaging deliveries, including raising non-conformance report with supplier where applicable
• Customer complaint investigations
• Conduct / support traceability exercises
• Prepare samples for finished product quality panels
• Conduct refresher training for operational staff (CCP's, average weight control)
• New product first production run audits / sign-off

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• GCSE or equivalent standard; numerate and literate
• Basic Computer literate for standard office practices
• Health and Safety - level Two
• Food hygiene - level Two
• CCP training including HACCP principles for Manufacturing
• Internal Audit Process; Understanding and Experience
• Allergen Awareness; Understanding of risk
• GMP; Knowledge of techniques
• Non-conformance reporting techniques
• Microbiological awareness - understanding of basic food safety
• Basic legal labelling practice
• Basic weight legislation

About us

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, well-established, and award-winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our family of brands includes Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher's, Classic, Pro-Nutrition, and Ultra Premium Direct, along with a number of partner brands that trust us to produce food on their behalf. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel, and Crick produce a wide range of dry, wet, and baked foods enjoyed by dogs and cats all over the world. Our ambition is simple: to become a global leader in pet nutrition.

Our Purpose: To create happiness

We're on a mission to set a new standard of workplace happiness within the pet nutrition industry - one that looks like no other and feels like no other. Our culture is built on INSPIRED's unique behaviours and colleague experience, creating an environment that excites, empowers, and puts people and pets at the heart of everything we do.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the colleagues and communities we serve. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We make hiring decisions based on talent, potential and the experience you bring. We are also committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring equitable access and opportunity for all. If you need any adjustments or support to take part in our recruitment process, please let us know by emailing [e-mail].

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