Company:Dawn MeatsJob title:Food Safety and Quality GraduateContract type:Full-Time/PermanentLocation:Carrolls Cross, Co. WaterfordDawn Meats is one of Europe's leading food companies, supplying quality beef and lamb products to a wide range of retail, foodservice, and manufacturing customers. With a reputation for excellence, innovation, and sustainability, we pride ourselves on operating to the highest standards of food safety, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility.This is a graduate level opportunity working as part of the Food Safety & Quality team to support production teams by ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality, traceability and compliance to 3rd party, legal, and customer specifications. You will liaise with NPD, commercial, intake, despatch and the production teams to gain insight into the full supply chain from farm to fork and develop both technical and leadership skills. You will work alongside experienced teams, gaining hands on experience in all aspects of a food production.Our graduate programme is aimed at developing future leaders and technical specialists who will help shape the future of the Irish meat industry.ResponsibilitiesKey ResponsibilitiesA structured 2-year development plan with hands on experience in the fast-paced agri-food sectorMentorship and coaching from senior leadershipOngoing training and development in areas such asHACCPInternal AuditingFood Defence, TACCP & VACCPLean and Continuous ImprovementAssisting the FSQ team in its key business objective, to be "recognised as industry leaders in Food Safety, Quality, Innovation and Animal Welfare."Learning HACCP techniques, GMP, food hygiene, risk assessment, and legal responsibilitiesInvolvement with quality operations, policies, SOPs, procedures and product specificationsAssisting with the implementation and maintenance of HACCP and Quality Management SystemsAssisting with production and QC teams to ensure that product meets required customer and legal specificationsAiding production teams where necessary regarding product safety, quality or traceability control proceduresDecision making based on data collection and analysisMicrobiological and chemical sampling of finished product and raw materials as per sampling scheduleComplaint and non-conformity handling and investigation including root cause analysisExposure to BRCGS, ISO 22000, Bord Bia, or other food safety and customer standardsCarrying out internal audits based on risk assessment and assisting with Customer & 3 rd Party AuditsAssisting in projects as outlined by the FSQ ManagerPromoting a culture of "Always Audit Ready" and continuous improvement across the siteQualificationsThe ideal candidate should:Have a 3rd Level Qualification in Food Science / Agricultural Science or any related disciplineBe proactive, detail-oriented, and organisedDemonstrate strong critical thinking and problem-solving skillsHave strong written and verbal communication skillsPossess digital literacy skills and be technologically proficientBe committed to continuous learning and professional development, recognising that education is an ongoing processINDLP