Position: Quality Assurance Officer

Reports to: Quality Manager Location: Chessington, Surrey Salary: Up to 30,000 per year (dependent on experience) Shift Pattern: 4-on, 4-off (Day shifts) Hours: 07:00 - 19:00

About the Role We're looking for a proactive Quality Assurance Officer to help maintain and improve technical quality and food safety standards across site. This role is key to ensuring compliance with customer requirements and industry regulations while supporting operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and verify adherence to technical and food safety standards across the site.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications and requirements through regular checks and proactive measures.
• Promote technical compliance by coaching and supporting operational teams.
• Communicate technical requirements clearly across departments to ensure consistent implementation.
• Carry out GMP audits to maintain Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Complete and investigate glass/hard plastic breakage reports.
• Perform scheduled calibration checks (daily, monthly, annually).
• Deliver environmental, personnel, and product monitoring programs, including sample collection.
• Verify cleaning standards and ensure operatives meet hygiene requirements.
• Collect samples for taste panels and end-of-life testing.
• Record and analyse results, identifying trends for continuous improvement.
• Conduct annual HACCP validations and scheduled traceability exercises, including mock recalls.
• Perform start-up checks and escalate issues promptly.
• Investigate rejected products from metal detectors for compliance.
• Approve and cross-check key records such as mix sheets, temperature logs, and positive release documentation.
• Manage defrosting charts and analyse data trends.
• Inspect incoming raw materials and ingredients against specifications.
• Conduct in-process audits and report non-conformances.
• Support investigations into out-of-spec results and manage supplier non-conformance reports.
• Work with NPD teams to ensure raw material requirements for new products are identified and controlled.
• Contribute to wider business projects as required.

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience in a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) environment.
• Strong understanding of technical management systems.
• Ability to influence and work collaboratively across teams.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and develop action plans.
• Coaching approach to drive technical compliance and continuous improvement.