Quality Assurance Technologist

IRCA Group; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

IRCA Group is seeking a detail‑minded Quality Assurance professional to conduct product safety audits, manage quality documentation, and ensure adherence to industry standards at our Bretton site in Peterborough.

Role requires on-site presence five days a week, with a focus on QA inspections, process improvements, and regulatory compliance to support continued growth across our bakery and related sectors.

Qualifications

• Fluent in English and numeracy for data interpretation.
• Understanding of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
• Knowledge of ISO22000 or equivalents.

Responsibilities

• Perform on-site inspection and testing of products and materials.
• Review records to ensure food safety and customer specs compliance.
• Calibrate test equipment per standards.
• Investigate complaints and drive corrective actions (RCA).
• Lead root cause analysis using standard methods.
• Monitor GMP, hygiene audits, and foreign body checks.
• Analyse KPIs and report quality performance.
• Schedule and facilitate Taste Panel processes.
• Monitor SAP stock movements and issue product certificates.
• Engage in environmental monitoring and allergen validation.
• Collaborate with NPI to keep testing requirements updated.

Skills

English fluency

MS Office

Food safety

HACCP Level 3

ISO22000 knowledge

Education

Diploma in Food Science

Job description

IRCA Group is a leading international B2B provider of semi-finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry and gelato markets, serving independent producers and large food manufacturers. Core products include chocolate, decorations, creams, inclusions, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other bakery/pastry ingredients.

Headquartered in Italy, IRCA Group has a strong track record of growth over the last decade. It has 22 manufacturing facilities worldwide, 2,400+ employees, and €1 billion in revenues.

What We Offer

IRCA fosters a dynamic environment, embracing diversity and valuing diverse perspectives and international experiences, offering a stimulating context. We promote professional growth by providing tailor‑made development programs and career advancement opportunities locally and internationally.

With locations worldwide, we offer the chance to work on international projects, collaborate across cultures, and gain a global perspective. Joining our team means becoming part of a global community of passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference.

If you are looking for:

• stimulating challenges
• the chance to contribute your ideas for process improvement in an ever‑growing company

IRCA is the right place.

Please note we do not offer sponsorship.

Role Overview

This role requires a detail‑oriented and dedicated professional with strong expertise in quality assurance, capable of thriving in a fast‑paced and evolving environment. This role involves conducting product safety audits, managing quality‑related documentation, and ensuring adherence to industry best practices, regulatory standards, and customer specifications.

This role requires you to be on site 5 days a week at our Bretton site in Peterborough. This role does not currently offer hybrid working opportunities and you must be able to commit to being on site Monday‑Friday.

Inspection and Testing

• Perform inspection and testing of finished products and raw materials in compliance with site quality standards
• Review process control records to ensure conformance to food safety requirements and customer specifications
• Complete calibrations of test equipment in accordance with prevailing standards

Complaints & Continuous Improvement

• Assist in investigating complaints related to site production, reporting, evaluating returned materials, and implementing corrective actions
• Facilitate and execute Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies such as 8‑Step Practical Problem Solving

Standard Confirmation

• Monitor and enforce compliance with established quality and safety standards through structured verification processes

Quality Inspection

• Perform routine factory‑based food safety and quality standards inspections, including GMP, hygiene verification audits, fabrication inspections, and foreign body inspections
• Provide guidance and support to departments being audited to ensure understanding of required standards

Quality / Technical Issue Resolution & Support

• Facilitate investigations and resolution of non‑conformances using problem‑solving tools (e.g., 3Cs, Fishbone, 8‑Step, etc.)
• Participate in Crisis Management processes when required
• Analyse and report quality performance metrics (KPIs) and identify improvement opportunities

Taste Panel Process

• Ensure the effective scheduling and facilitation of the taste panel process

SAP & Stock Monitoring

• Daily monitoring and release of products post‑production and customer testing for dispatch
• Manage stock movement to maintain product integrity and minimise dispatch errors
• Provide customers with necessary product certificates

Environmental Monitoring Programme

• Ensure timely completion of scheduled monitoring activities
• Log all samples on the online system and order necessary consumables
• Conduct retests and liaise with the hygiene manager regarding results and trend analysis
• Review the programme annually with the hygiene and technical manager

Allergen Management

• Conduct allergen management validation and verification in accordance with PRP management programmes

Product Sampling

• Maintain the customer testing requirements folder
• Collaborate with the NPI Technologist to keep testing requirements updated
• File daily production samples, send samples to labs for testing, and liaise with the supply chain regarding timing issues
• Check product quality and report out‑specifications to the production manager

Qualifications & Skills

Essential

• Proficient written, numerical, and verbal skills
• Fluency in English language
• Numerical ability to record, interpret, and analyse key process data
• Proficient in MS Office Tools
• Understanding of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems
• Knowledge of ISO22000 Standards or equivalent certification standards
• Experience in standardisation of processes
• Food Safety Level 3
• HACCP Level 3

Desirable

• Diploma or higher qualification in Food Science or a related subject
• Knowledge of TACCP
• Knowledge of the BRC Global Food Standard and specific customer standards

At Irca, we believe that diversity is a fundamental value and a source of strength and innovation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, nationality, or any other dimension of diversity, feel welcomed, valued, and respected and encourage people of all natures to apply.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.