Quality Assurance Assistant

Job description

Company Description

We are Guenther Bakeries Europe, a division of CH Guenther & Son Inc., a leading international food manufacturing group supplying high quality bakery and grain-based products to leading quick-service restaurants and food retailers. Globally the company employs more than 3,800 people in 26 manufacturing locations in Europe, the U.S. and Canada with our history dating back more than 170 years.

The Role

To take a leading role in day-to-day QA activities and to support the QA Team Leader and Quality Manager in duties by providing quality direction and guidance to the Bakery workforce. The 70:30 factory/office based role will provide feedback on bun quality based on product quality assessments (product release and quarantine process), hygiene monitoring through sampling. Ensuring daily compliance with the Quality Management System, Customer Specification, Legal Requirements and Food Safety standards.

Responsibilities

Product Quality

· To conduct quality inspections of the finished products, trial samples, reference samples, end of life products across all lines for fresh and frozen products as per schedules as well as on request

· To conduct bun scoring sessions (on site, with ATCQ, as a part of Positive Release process) and product quality checks in conjunction with site personnel

· To effectively communicate bun score results to the Production Teams during every shifts and 2 hourly SIC meetings in order to adjust the production process

· To check the core and 3rd Party products against customer specifications at start and end of live as well as throughout shelf life

· To highlight product quality issues to the person in charge of the production

· To highlight product food safety issues to the person in charge of the production and take lead in risk assessment and root cause analysis; ensuring incident reports are fully and correctly completed every time and root cause as well as corrective action is established with no delays.

· To actively assist with releasing or quarantining of the affected products / raw materials (using SAP system), ensuring correct and timely completion of relevant documentation and smooth verification of all affected product quality to prevent supply issues

· Communicate bun score improvements to the Quality Manager and Manufacturing Team

· To collect samples of raw materials, finished products, environmental and nutritional samples as well as per set schedules as well as and when required

· To assist with bun sample selections for Bun Cuttings and training sessions (including Bake off) as well as following on from 1st production (as per customer request)

· To conduct filing process ensuring any issues with documentation are highlighted and corrected prior to archiving as per set procedure

Quality and Food Safety

· To actively promote food safety, food hygiene & quality standards to achieve corporate audit results and communicate quality & food safety standards throughout the bakery.

· To conduct in depth GMP, Food Safety, Food Security Audits including root cause analysis to set schedule and verify actions once completed.

· To conduct Foreign Object, Blue Plaster, Glass and Plastic Audits/registers to set schedule frequency and verify the actions once completed

· Ensure actions from internal and external audits are recorded and corrective actions followed up by the relevant departmental manager, verified and signed on completion

· To actively conduct, verify and lead data analysis (QDA) and interpretation of bun scoring sessions (internal, ATCQ session), action trackers, corrective action completion

· Conduct CCP verification of production and engineering checks as per set schedules and frequency

· Ensure all CCP and processes are adhered to and issue Non Conformities where relevant. Communicate to QA Manager and Shift Manager

· To conduct CCP competency checks and assist in staff re training

· Conduct labels and product / packaging / process specification verification to ensure quality and legality compliance

· To verify production process records, highlight errors and ensure issues are reported and corrected within timely manner as per set procedure

· Participating in hygiene verification – Swabbing of production lines to the required frequency, collecting water samples and setting up airplates

· To conduct verification checks of process parameters, pH, dough weights, bake out weights and Eye pro parameters - communicating challenges as and when required

· To conduct Raw Material Mock recall, Traceability, Mass Balance verification of raw materials / packaging using SAP system, Capability studies as per set frequency, generate reports, issue non-conformances and follow up to ensure compliance

· Generate and communicate reports as required for bun scores, QDA, Eye-pro, KPI, ATCQ, Action tracking and others

· Coordinate customer complaints, contact restaurants and conduct investigations (quality, food safety and foreign object related) to assist in the reduction of customer complaints and identify the root cause of problems

· To assist in completion of system audits, report findings and follow up to ensure compliance

· To generate weekly reports and update Notice boards in timely manner

· To conduct product assessment training for new starters and refresher training to ensure full compliance with customer requirements; to ensure all teams members are fully train at all the times

· To manage and schedule re test for any OOS results, provide corrective actions and route cause analysis

Audits

· Actively assisting to maintain SQMS, Halal, AIB, BRC, and 3rd Party accreditation in conjunction with site personnel and external accreditation bodies

Visits

· Actively assisting in preparation to VIP visits to ensure good outcome

Calibration

· To carry out weekly calibration of all temperature probes and scales utilised with in the bakery as per set procedure

· Calibration and cleaning of bun and muffin toasters as per set procedure

· Verification and / or calibration of any equipment as per set procedure

Requirements

Qualifications

· Educated to GCSE Level and hold food /QA related qualification or equivalent

· HACCP Level 3 Training

· Food Safety Level 3 Training

· Internal Auditor Training

Skills and Experience

· Experience of working in a FMCG environment

· Computer Skills – Word, Excel, Powerpoint, SAP, AMIS or relevant laboratory system

· An aptitude for problem solving is required

· Substantial experience within a QA role is required

Personal attributes

· “Can do” and “will do” attitude is a must at all the times

· Excellent written and oral communication skills

· Good attention to detail and an ability to think outside of the box

· Well organised, methodical approach to workload

· Influential

· Enthusiastic and able to motivate others

· Proactive, Flexible and Hardworking

Working conditions/expectations

· Adeptness to manage change and work effectively under pressure

· Working at heights involved

· Working in an environment involving flour and dust

· Flexibility to adjust working hours at short notice

· Willing to assist with extra duties in high holidays or audit season

Benefits

· Competitive Salary

· Ongoing development and investment in you

· Company pension scheme

· Family social events + activities

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £30,000.00-£33,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• Life insurance
• Referral programme

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Banbury, OX16 3JU: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)