Quality Assurance Technician

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Thirsk; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime

Enhanced pension

Life assurance

Enhanced maternity/paternity/sick pay

Holiday buy options

Healthcare cashback plan

Hertility at-home fertility testing

Discounted pet food

Lifestyle benefits

Retail and gym discounts

Electric car scheme

Free onsite parking and charging

Onsite canteen

Job summary

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition in Thirsk is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician to join our Technical team. You will conduct production line and operator compliance audits, support food safety and quality processes, and investigate non-conformances to ensure our products meet high customer standards.

Working with Operations and Technical teams, you’ll calibrate equipment, perform NIR checks on materials, and help maintain a safe, compliant site.

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent standard; numerate and literate.
• Basic Computer literacy for standard office practices.
• Health and Safety - 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Education

GCSE or equivalent

Job description

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)

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)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• GCSE or equivalent standard; numerate and literate
• Basic Computer literate for standard office practices
• Health and Safety - 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

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, andUltra PremiumDirect, along witha number ofpartner 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’reon a mission toseta 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 uniquebehavioursand 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,respectedand able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminateon the basis ofage, disability, genderidentityor expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief,sexor sexual orientation. We make hiring decisions based on talent,potentialand the experience you bring.

We are also committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuringequitableaccess 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] .