My job
Quality Lead (Nightshift)
Location: Carrickmacross
Reports To: Quality Manager
Department: Technical / Quality Assurance
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Nightshift
Purpose of the Role
To drive food safety and quality standards as part of the Technical Excellence agenda. This role works closely with the Production Stream to embed a strong food safety and quality culture, manage the Quality Technologists on site, and foster cross-functional collaboration to deliver continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Food Safety & Culture
* Champion a culture of food safety across the site.
* Promote positive behaviours, coach team members, and lead root cause investigations.
* Ensure all team members are trained and competent to perform tasks safely.
* Drive safety improvements through behaviour-based safety observations.
Technical Strategy & Standards
* Develop technical excellence through training, coaching, and mentoring.
* Support delivery of the Technical Strategy and improvement of KPIs.
* Lead root cause analysis of non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
* Ensure strong operational knowledge of GMP, allergen control, and quality systems.
Team Leadership & Development
* Manage and develop the Quality Technologists team.
* Build strong relationships and foster a high-performing, engaged team.
* Train the team on OPEX tools and ensure adequate resources and capability.
* Promote a culture of learning, development, and continuous improvement.
* Communicate goals clearly and regularly through team forums and MySuccess.
* Recognise achievements and address performance issues constructively.
Operational Excellence (OPEX)
* Analyse data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
* Ensure adherence to standard work through layered confirmation.
* Support root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.
Customer & Business Value
* Deliver the Quality agenda through production teams to ensure top-tier product quality.
* Act as a values champion and lead cultural survey action plans.
* Provide training and support to enable production teams to conduct routine food safety and quality inspections.
Skills & Knowledge
Skill / Knowledge Area
Essential / Desirable
Proficient written, numerical, and verbal communication
Essential
Fluency in English (oral and written)
Essential
Ability to record, interpret, and analyse key process data
Essential
Experience in Technical Standards
Essential
Problem-solving and troubleshooting
Essential
Proficiency in MS Office tools
Desirable
Understanding of lean tools and formal problem-solving
Desirable
In-depth understanding of relevant production processes
Desirable
Qualifications
Qualification
Essential / Desirable
HACCP Level 4
Essential
Diploma/Degree in Food Safety, Food Technology, or equivalent
Desirable
The company
Pilgrim's Europe produces some of the best-known and most iconic brands in the UK and Ireland, including Fridge Raiders, Rollover, Denny, Richmond, Oakhouse and Moy Park, alongside a diverse range of industry leading own-label products in categories including fresh pork, lamb and chicken, working with all the major retailers and food service outlets.
Our portfolio extends to authentic chilled and frozen ready meals, snacking ranges, added value and food service products.
Across Pilgrim's Europe we combine 20,000 of the best people in the industry, united by a shared set of core values and a passion for producing the highest quality, most delicious and innovative food, which is enjoyed by millions of people in the UK, Ireland and Europe every day. Our Pilgrim's Europe team are based in our Pilgrim's UK, Moy Park, Pilgrim's Food Masters and Pilgrim's Shared Services businesses.
What we'll bring to the table
Competitive Salary
Competitive Holiday Entitlement
Pension Contribution
Family Friendly Policies
Learning and Development Opportunities
Life Assurance
People matter
Our values
Determination
Simplicity
Availability
Humility
Discipline
Sincerity
Ownership