Quality Specialist

Role overview

This is a permanent full-time position based at Lenah Valley. The opportunity is suited to someone who can use strong influencing skills to drive practical improvements, with a particular emphasis on hygiene and sanitation.

The Lenah Valley facility is around 15 minutes from Hobart’s CBD and produces more than 50 milk, milk-based and cream products using fresh Tasmanian milk. The site employs about 50 people and produces roughly 33 million litres each year, offering the scale of a regulated manufacturing environment together with the lifestyle advantages of Hobart, such as short commutes, great food and a strong cultural identity.

You will join a small quality team as a Quality Specialist focused on Environmental and Sanitation activities. The purpose of the role is to lead, maintain, coordinate and track day-to-day laboratory functions while ensuring products meet specification requirements. A major part of the job is training and coaching staff on systems and procedures to achieve the best possible outcomes. Strong communication and the ability to influence others are essential. This role is not laboratory bench work; it is intended for someone who already understands quality standards deeply and can interpret and teach them effectively. Experience in environmental monitoring and high-hygiene environments would be an advantage.

Working hours are on site from Monday to Friday during normal site operating hours.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, apply and review the Laboratory Quality System and GLP requirements, making sure site, company and customer standards are met while also supporting hygiene plans and food safety, quality and environmental monitoring programs.
• Administer the laboratory document control process in Intelex, keeping records accurate and ensuring testing and quality compliance requirements are maintained.
• Prepare and submit reports on time, including information for senior leaders based on site sampling, testing and verification work such as pathogens, shelf-life checks, swabbing and trade waste.
• Carry out GMP and internal audits according to schedule and assist with verification of hygiene, food safety and environmental monitoring activities across the site.
• Plan and coordinate servicing, maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment to keep testing, sampling and quality assurance activities running effectively.

Requirements

• A tertiary qualification in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• The ability to work effectively with people at all levels, from leaders through to operational teams.
• Strong interpersonal capability, especially in influencing others and coaching staff.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and the ability to write detailed reports.
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, GLP and BRC standards.
• A current Australian driver's licence.
• Ability to complete a pre-employment medical assessment.
• Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia.

Perks and benefits

• Permanent full-time employment.
• A site-based role in Lenah Valley, close to Hobart.
• The chance to contribute to meaningful change through a high-impact quality function.
• Exposure to a dedicated, innovative and forward-looking workplace culture.
• Career development and progression opportunities.
• Ability to support community initiatives through partnered charities.
• Access to mental and physical wellbeing programs.
• Employee benefits including flexible working arrangements, purchased leave options and salary continuance insurance.

Additional information

The business is part of a larger food and beverage group known for trusted household brands. It operates as a successful ASX 200 listed company with annual turnover above $3 billion and a workforce of around 4,000 people. The organisation has a strong regional focus and supports the communities where its employees live and work. Its long-term aim is to keep building great opportunities for people to grow and thrive while contributing to a better future through great food.

Diversity and inclusion

The employer values diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, ages and genders, as well as those with different abilities and identities.

Applications

The role requires a current Australian driver's licence and a successful pre-employment medical check. Applications are welcome from anyone who has the right to live and work in Australia.