Quality
Job Purpose
To lead a technical team in the development and maintenance of the Quality and Food Safety systems to regulatory legislation, customer and third-party standards.
Provide technical support in areas of food safety and legal
requirements as well as in training for quality improvement projects
Reports To
Quality Manager
Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities associated with this role include, but are not limited to:
Communication and People Management skills
Willingness to learn leadership and motivation skills
Manage the site QC team and develop a team of professional technicians
Coordinate with all departments and managers and represent the team at site level
Influence decision making to ensure food safety and quality needs of the business are being met
Ensure that the company is kept aware of legislative & customer constraints on the business and any standards in terms of quality and food safety and integrity are adhered t
Department Management
Monitoring KPI targets and objectives for the department and wider company and ensuring their effective measurement
Ensure effective communications of customer requirements to the operations team and ensuring their compliance
Interface with the innovation team for the successful launch of new products into production, and for product and process improvement projects
Review of technical information to view trending and analysis of same to take relevant actions were required to make improvements to the process, plant and systems as necessary
Champion the training and development of staff in the areas of food safety or quality, for example: Induction, hygiene & cleaning, food hygiene, HACCP, allergen awareness, taste panel training
Assist with the implementation of plant wide process & quality system improvements, working with the relevant departments to ensure multi-disciplinary approach
Recognise and implement opportunities for quality improvement in both manufacturing and business processes
QMS & HACCP Systems
Lead/ co Lead the plants HACCP team, challenging processes food safety systems and maintaining and reviewing the plan as required
Ensuring that the procedures, process documentation and systems in use comply with customer and best practice requirements, maintaining and reviewing when driven by improvement, audit and customer requirements etc
Responsible for the implementation of the internal audit programme to ensure quality system compliance.
Leading the team in external audits for food safety and quality audits for customers and governing bodies(eg BRC, DAFM and their representatives, M&S, Tesco, Waitrose (Retail) Greencore, 2SFG (Manufacture), Brake Bros, Yum Brands (Foodservice))
Testing Programmes
Ensure raw material, process and finished product evaluation and verification is completed as required within production, leading the team to solve issues as they arise
Risk assess and ensure implementation of microbiological, chemical and physical testing schedules in accordance with agreed programme
Deal with non-conformances (internal and external) and drive root cause analysis in a timely and comprehensive fashion, involving all relevant disciplines, and using learnings to drive continuous improvement
Management of quarantined product, ensuring product traceability and safety is maintained
Shelf-life analysis management as required for chilled and frozen product
Supplier Management
Ensure the supplier management process is maintained with detailed specification, risk assessment, audit and approval records for all raw material, packaging or miscellaneous suppliers and complies with customer and best practice requirements
Review and evaluate suppliers to give feedback on performance and quality on a frequency that reflects their risk, size and complexity
Travel to conduct supplier audits as necessary as part of new approval, ongoing review or in response to issues
Manage the approval of new raw material, packaging or miscellaneous suppliers
Keep buying team appraised of supplier behaviours/ quality of service/ goods as part of review
Customer Management and Service
Implement and maintain detailed specifications and quality standards for all finished products, knowledge of various software programmes used by customers required (Micros, Hamilton Grant, FIND, etc)
Ensure that internal specifications for the factory are developed and maintained
Support the Quality Manager in the management of complaints from customers in a timely manner, involving other teams where needed
Meet with customers and represent the companies technical expertise when needed as part of customer service or as part of investigation of issues
Assist the business development team, helping to forge new relationships and build on existing ones
Skills / Qualifications / Experience
Diploma or higher in a Food Science related subject
4 years + in a similar role in FMCG or food retail environment
Knowledge of BRC standards required and preferably with familiarity of cooking processes and high care facilities
People management experience an advantage
Lead auditor certification is preferential
HACCP certification is essential
Proficient written, numerical and verbal skills
Numerical ability to record, interpret and analyse key process data
Fluency in the English language
Self-starting individual, capable of clear strategic view and implementation
Be willing to develop team management and leadership skills
Ability to communicate effectively with and present to customers, Stakeholders (eg DAFM), Suppliers, Senior Management / Directors
Understanding of food safety and quality management systems
Strong knowledge of food legislation, BRC Global Food Standard and specific customer standards and codes of practice
Good interpersonal skills, and the ability to react well under pressure
Excellent proficiency in the use of MS Office tools
Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability
Ability to work cross functionally, meet deadlines and build effective relationships
Ability to identify and actively plan improvements
Note: As with all positions, due to the dynamic nature of Arrow Group business, key responsibilities will evolve and change over time.
Some travel will be required.
Appointment to this role is subject to the candidate's eligibility to work in Ireland.
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