Quality Assurance Technologist

Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner; Cranbrook; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment partner in food and drinks is seeking a Quality Assurance Technologist for a site-based role in Cranbrook. The successful candidate will support the production of safe and quality food products while working closely with various teams. Essential qualities include attention to detail, strong communication skills, and experience in a QA role within food manufacturing. This full-time position offers a competitive salary of £30k to £40k.

Qualifications

• Experience in a QA role within food manufacturing, chilled, ambient, or FMCG preferred.
• Good understanding of GMP, hygiene standards, food safety and quality systems.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with Production, Technical and NPD teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the business in producing safe, legal, and quality food products.
• Carry out GMP, hygiene, glass and foreign body audits across the manufacturing facility.
• Support investigation of customer complaints, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Proactive team player

Job description

Job Title: Quality Assurance Technologist

Location: Cranbrook (site-based)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: £30k - £40k

Reporting to: Head of Technical (Products)

Job Purpose

This is a varied, hands‑on Quality Assurance role within a food manufacturing environment. Working closely with Production, NPD and Laboratory teams, the QA Officer will play a key role in ensuring products are safe, legal, and meet customer and regulatory standards. The role suits a proactive team player with strong attention to detail and good communication skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the business in producing safe, legal, and quality food products.
• Carry out GMP, hygiene, glass and foreign body audits across the manufacturing facility.
• Support investigation of customer complaints, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Support product assessment systems to ensure products meet quality standards and agreed specifications.
• Coordinate sampling for laboratory analysis in line with site schedules, trend results, and **escalate** out‑of‑spec findings.
• Coordinate shelf‑life extension requests with suppliers and support on‑site laboratory activity where required.
• Conduct microbiological and allergen swabbing in line with site schedules and validation activities.
• Perform chemical titrations as required.
• Carry out equipment calibration and site validation / verification activities.
• Support third‑party audits and internal traceability exercises, including document retrieval and audit presentation.
• Support supplier complaint investigations, including traceability, reporting, and close‑out.
• Maintain QA communication boards and contribute to food safety culture communications.

About You

• Experience in a QA role within food manufacturing (chilled, ambient or FMCG preferred).
• Good understanding of GMP, hygiene standards, food safety and quality systems.
• Comfortable working cross‑functionally with Production, Technical and NPD teams.
• Strong attention to detail with a proactive, hands‑on approach.
• Confident communicator with the ability to support audits and investigations.

Additional Information

This role offers the opportunity to develop within a growing technical team in a fast‑paced food manufacturing environment. Duties may vary to meet business needs.